Hello all, I was wondering if someone can give me advice on what specialty tools are out there to adjust the valves on my 71 280Se M130 engine. I have seen the bent wrench type and a crow foot type, any advantages or disadvantages to either one? Thanks for your help..

The bent wrench you are talking about will allow you to adjust the valves AND check the torque value of the adjuster at the same time since it is designed to be in a direct line with the adjuster. Of course you will also need a good torque wrench to do the adjusting with.

If the torque value is too loose then you have to deal with that or your adjuster will not stay adjusted. It will vibrate loose.

I have always found that the bent wrench will need a bit of grinding on the bottom to fit in there easier, so if you shop on Ebay and see where one of these has been ground down a bit then don't panic. A lot of people have done this.

Not to derail the conversation but about to undertake this myself.

Question: what size wrench will I need (1971 MB 250 w114); and how do I know I even need an adjustment (does the engine rattle, clank,...?)

The wrench is 17 mm. I guess you could get in there with any open end wrench; I just always used the Hazet bent crowsfoot.

If you reach the point where you KNOW your valves need adjustment then you have waited too long. This is a routine item and you adjust the valve clearance to keep the valves, or the valve rocker, from eating into your camshaft which they always seem to do if left unattended.

This takes thousands and thousands of miles, but it will become a reality if you do not maintain the valve clearance by adjusting them now and then.