Ignition timing

I’m gonna follow whoever has the best information and who ever is right based on Mercedes standard. I’m gonna follow people like you who know these engines

Hi Josh,

I’m not a slave of the factory CO specification - especially not as mine is a US version - as I believe they were set too lean to accommodate silly emissions regulations. In Denmark, cars from the early ‘70’s are allowed up to 5,5%, but I’ve found mine to be happiest around 3-3,5%.

best, Peter

Hey Peter,

My main goal is to get the engine running the best and the healthiest by mechanics/engineers standards. Factory settings so to speak. Which should be the healthiest settings, right?

Josh

Hi Josh,

In all other aspects I completely agree that the factory specs should be observed. But when it comes to idle behaviour I'm not religious. Because of strange motives, the Americans introduced quite strict emission regulations that forced car manufacturers to practically strangulate their engines (in idle) which therefore made them run less optimal (in idle). Once you touch the throttle, the idle CO reading is obsolete anyway and you are in the hands of the D-jetronic components. There is nothing wrong in observing the factory specs - by no means. I'm just in the camp that if you loved one wants more to eat in idle to be happy (i.e. a richer mixture), then I'll be happy to provide for that, while still observing today's emissions limits.

Best, Peter 

Hey there Peter,

Yes I understand completely about the emissions laws and stuff. Quite crazy in California too. Thankfully mine isn’t a California car.

But all of which you said makes perfect sense. I think last I got mine tested with the tail pipe test the readings were around 2-3%?

Josh

Morning,

just wanted to post an update on the timing. Setting it to 20 degrees @3000 w/vacuum connected. I can already feel a difference in the idle. It’s much smoother. It’s more around 21-23degrees 

Josh