Thank You so much Bruce. I'll try replacing mine this weekend. Also, if i may ask you for one more favor, is it possible for you to post the vacuum diagram ?? Thanks again for your help.

smk_texas

Other than having the information on my computer via the CD-ROM, I couldn't begin to figure out how to post any of the stuff here. Sorry.

Computer Newbie, too!

I'm stuck in the 1980's with my cars. The Mercedes is a totally new breed to me. Its a learning experience, and my used parts supplier is very happy to show me repair schemes.

Bruce

Not a problem. I'll find one on ebay or something. Thanks for your help.

smk_texas

I've replaced the fuel distributor now. I'm slowly dialing it in, and the car has never run better.

I'm planning to replace the hydraulic lifters, as one is noisy at high speeds.

Since my last post on this topic, I've replaced the brakes, one brake caliper, emergency brake shoes, driveshaft flex couplings, fuel filter, pump, acumulator, regulator, gas cap, OVP relay, power steering pump, and fan clutch. Many of the parts came from the parts car at my friends place. A few came from M-B, like the new radio antenna. I also had the rear lower strut support bushings done after several months of driving the car and being embarrassed by all the squeaking that was happening all the time. It's all quiet now.

Everything totaled, I feel like I am still paying LESS than I would if I was making car payments. The car is running better and better, and I couldn't be happier.

Today, I am tweeking the fuel settings for the distributor... tiny adjustments.

Thanks for all the encouragement and kind words.

Bruce

How about some pictures?

Here's 3 views of the fuel distributor.

I'm having trouble pulling away from a stop with it. It stumbles and hesitates somewhat. Is there something in this system that gives the engine a squirt of gas... like a carb accelerator pump? It starts OK when cold, so I'm reasonably sure the cold start injector is working.

When warm, it takes longer to get it to start than it did with the OEM distributor. I have a feeling that I'm close, but not quite there.

EDIT: After I installed the distributor, I replaced the fuel pressure regulator with one I had on hand just to be sure there is not a pressure problem.

I took it out on the interstate this morning. Theres alot more power and control with the accelerator pedal than there was...

Thanks for the interest!
Bruce

Found the hesitation problem. I replaced the small solenoid that is attached to the fuel distributor with a newer one from a parts car. I'm not sure of the name of this part, but it made a big difference. I had to lean out the distributor almost a full turn before the car would start. Now, after some tweeking, its running good again, and still idling OK.

I'm still going to replace the vacuum advance on the distributor. It's leaking vacuum.

Bruce

The parts yard yielded a nearly-new vacuum advance last week. Took me a whole 10 minutes to get it installed. When I took it out on the road, at town speeds, I thought there was no difference in performance. This morning, I renewed the tag, and took it for a ride on the interstate. There is more power at 3500 RPM now, than before. I barely touch the gas, and it really picks up speed.

I'm also still tweeking the fuel distributor toward the lean side. I've noticed no lean running problems, yet.

In NC, when you renew the tags, you also have to have an inspection done. It's a real pain, but the same guy has done the inspections for me since 2007. Today, he told me he remembers how hard to start this Benz used to be, and how easily it started today for him, and have I done work on it? I spared him the saga, but did say there's been some work done this year.

I still think working on this little car is better than payments on some dumpy Japanese/Korean can. I've owned Honda cars in the past...