I have a 1973 450SL that I am trying to get up and running. Does anyone here have any experience sorting out fuel delivery problems with these cars? Any help will be appreciated.

Can you provide more detail regarding the nature of the problem?

The car runs very rough and rich. I have replaced the distributor cap, rotor button and plug wires. The car starts fine but it idles erratically and all the plugs get fouled very quickly with black carbon build up. At higher revs the motor will kick out black smoke. The problem has gotten worse and I have to struggle to keep the motor from stalling out.

Hi Cdunn Welcome on board

First check for vacuum leaks. Did you just purchase this car??

Lots of heat is generated under the hood of these cars.Vacuum lines become very brittle.I ended up changing all of my lines.
Pay particular attention to the manifold pressure sensor line.

It runs from the back of the intake manifold to the sensor.
The sensoris locater just below the master brake cyl. and its shaped like a grenade. Even if it looks good,pull it off and make sure it is good.

If you have any doubts as to its condition,reolace it.
Best of luck keep us informed

Razorman Bob

Thats the thing. It was my grandfathers car and I came into posession of it after he passed away. He purchased the car in 1973 here in Louisville at Taffel motors the local luxury car dealer. As he aged he was reluctant to spend the money needed to keep the car in top shape, that and I think they really wanted to sell him a new car instead of preforming the routine maintainence that these cars need and as I have come to realize neglect spells big bucks in repairs. Thanks for the tips I am waiting for a cd manual I ordered so that I can better identify what hose is what. I was thinking it could be vaccum but the other side of the debate is a fuel problem so I guess both will needed to be checked. My frustration is that I had rather extensive work done on the car in Texas and it still does not run well after $4000.00 worth of parts and labor. Well at least I am closer to my goal............anybody want to buy a 94 Impala SS

I have some other questions if you don't mind. First what are the 3 color coded (yellow red and green) vacuum lines on the back of the engine compartment?
Second what is the black box on the side of the air intake under the breather?

Thanks Charles