No Smog on a 1971 ? correct ? so no worries their
I would get a 160 Thermostat for sure and if nothing else alter the Distributor to advance only . You just keep yours and install a Early Distributor ( make sure you have the washer spacer where you bolt it down ! )
More Power better gas millage.
As Smog evolved they did not run right so they heated them up trying to make them run better. Modern Smog controls "are not" much better . 195 degree Thermostats = lower
Miles the motor lasts simple as that . Early Mercedes don't like Hi Heat the heads Have Problems often .