Sounds like the used OVP you bought from a wrecker maybe not up scratch.
if you still have your old one, put that in and see how you go.
You should never need to "give the engine gas" to start these cars.
Next time you are at the wreckers try and get the proper M.B. 103 engine ignition lead runners to get the leads away from the exhaust.
I've seen much worse regulator brushes than the ones in your image.

The engine is an I6 (straight six) not a Vee Six.