No 116/117 motor has ever had a sensor on the balancer that affected timing.

The only engines that had crank sensors for engine control were the 86 on 116/117. They measuer the flywheel. The front sensors were for a diagnostic tool.

Ignition is mapped on the 86- engines with vacuum, temp, and coding being the only variants I can think of. An overheating engine would get its timing retarded.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician