MB Engine number
 

I looked at a 1971 280SL for sale recently...the number on the engine was 130 018 3201 and to the right of this number it said "280" in larger letters. (I think an original 280SL engine had numbers 130.983) How can I find out what kind of car the above engine is from (note: the middle numbers might be 016)...thanks

What you are looking at is NOT an engine number. It's a casting number in the head. The engine mumber is below that on a metal plate the engine block, or stamped into the block.
Regards,
Randy D.