Cam Profile info and options for '68 280se 108
 

Hey Guys,

I am going to bring my 108 to a shop to have them replace the valve keepers that keep going out of adjustment. I had the valve cover off a couple of months back and saw some wear on cam lobes and figured that it would be a decent time for me to fix the cam and add a new timing chain as well.
My question is, is there a difference between this cam in my 68 european delivery 108 which was made for the american market and a true european car. If not, does anyone know what the specs are for the cam which is currently in my car.
Are there any other cam profiles which might make sense for me to look at? Does anyone reccomend a certain cam shop that could build up the lobes and then grind them down?
Any advice or insight is well appreciated.

There is a number set stamped on the aft end of the cam, use exact replacement or call Schneider Cams, they did a M130 engine cam which makes the motor a high revving 6cyl monster. Quite fun in third pulling onto the freeway, (jeeze, we are doing 90 now, should I shift to fourth?) (yeah take it on up to max, put it to the floor and hold it there)

Get a replacement, skip the weld-up because of cost and metal compatibility, Mercedes must make the cams from meteorites,
Your cam followers and ball adjusters may be toast.

Better yet pull the head off and do guides too. and clean the combustion chamber.

There is a number set stamped on the aft end of the cam, use exact replacement or call Schneider Cams, they did a M130 engine cam which makes the motor a high revving 6cyl monster. Quite fun in third pulling onto the freeway, (jeeze, we are doing 90 now, should I shift to fourth?) (yeah take it on up to max)

Hi.
There is no difference in cam profile between US an Euro models in a 1968 280SE. There are however two camprofiles for that M130 motor.
One more agressive cam was used in the 280 SL giving 170 hp vs 160 hp in the sedans. The loss for getting higher hp is a higher peak for the torque curve. The same cam as in the 280 SL was used in the w 109 300SEL when MB replaced the old 3 L engine with the M130. The reason for using the 280 SL cam in the w109 was to match the old 3L engines 170 hp.
I would stick with the original 160 hp cam since lower torque peak is more usable in the sedan.
Fredrik

I have the cam timing specs for #09 cam for the SL engine . It adds an extra 10-15% more power in the upper range but the mid range where you drive the most feels the same. If you get your cam reground you will need thicker spacer pieces on top of the valves .Mercedes can supply the SL cam but there is a 6 week wait while they make it for you .
I think ,myself,its a great swap but you may find that by simply installing a new SE cam in your engine that it runs OK.
I can get them reground here easily (around $150 ) but you may have to do a search in the US to find someone with a master to do it for you. Brian's Suggestion of the Schnieder cam sounds good.