117 distributor positioning
 

When I replaced the upper chain rails in the 117 a few weeks ago, I removed the distributor to gain access to the power steering pump bolts. I indexed it when I removed it, and it all wen back together just fine and runs well.

My question is, is there any adjustment that is made by turning the duistributior? I thought the electronic ignition determined when the spark was delivered. Is there any signifigance to how the distribitor is positioned, other than to be "close enough" so that the rotor is still in the range of the pickup for each of the 8 wires when the coil firers? I really like distribitorless.

cheers
tony

I think you can adjust the timing by rotating the distributor. I saw it in the manual. There is a provision for retarding the timing for bad gas and it says to adjust the distributor.

That all depends on which 117 you have. The 4.5's allow timing adjustment via the distributor, the 5.0's and 5.6's do not. A little more info on your specific model would be helpful.

Information and assistance, unable to have one without the other. A little more information about your vehicle may yield a little more assitance.:cool:

His profile says '88 560SL.

Well, if that is the car in question...no the timing isn't adjustable at the distributor, it is electronically corrected.

I am not in the habit of reading a persons profile when replying to posts, maybe I should. :)