is it okay for the points to spark when opened manually? i read that if they spark then the condensor is bad. i replaced the conensor, resistor, and points and they still spark when i open them. also, the new points seemed to have a white haze on them only after a few minutes of running.

thanks!

The points ALWAYS spark when opened if you have a direct to coil point set (I don't know when MB switched to transistorized ignition, I know it was by 71).

Check your gap again, and make sure that you have some grease on the rubbing block but NOT on the points. Clean the points with carb cleaner, and clean the feeler gauge you use to set them with carb cleaner immediately before setting the gap. Even fingerprints can reduce point life.

If you have a transistor ignition that has been bybassed because the transistor unit is shot, see about a change-over to a Crane or Pertronix breakerless optical or Hall Effect unit, and eliminate the points altogether.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!