I have a 1977 280E with an electronic ignition system. I have suspected that my vacuum advance has been sticking, so I’ve oiled the felt in the top of the shaft pretty good.

Regarding general maintenance of the distributor, are there any other lubrication points in the distributor I should also be oiling? My Haynes manual does not show anything about this topic.

Thanks in advance for your input!

Richard

Thats the electonic ignition that operates with beam that bounces off teeth that spin around in the distributor, isnt it..... I had this on my twin cam 280/8.

Something I'd be wondering about with the centrifugal advance mechanism is whether the return spring wears out in 30 yrs and can be replaced to help keep the system running smoothly without sticking..... dunno if replacement with new spring can be done, but it makes sense to me.

Maybe use tiny bit of lithium grease applied with toothpick for lubing the rivets and moveable hinges, and its probably good idea to use aerosol electric parts cleaner to remove crud in the system first. Stuff like small specks of rust can interfere.... and electric parts cleaner eats corrosion and evaporates without residue - good stuff that can work with starters, alternators and ALL electrical connections in addition to the ignition key switch, throttle linkage and fine components like glove box hinges, odometer gears, clock mechanism etc.

240DieselDog - you're right about the type of distributor. I've had many German cars over the years and have never had a distrubutor like this one.

Thanks for the advice!

I'll explore and see what I can find.

The usually culprit on the mechanical advance is the hollow shaft at the top -- gets rusty or sticky from lack of lubrication and won't move.

Add some automatic tranny fluid (just a drop or two) and work the advance back and forth until it moves freely.

The springs and weights on MB distributors almost never give trouble.

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!