QuestionQUESTION: Couldn't follow up thus the history:
Question
1974 230Hi,
I just bought a 1974 Mercedes 230 green color in Canada.
All runs fine and I have couple of questions if you don't
mind:
This baby doesn't go more than 100/110 km/h downhill uphill
drops to 70km/h.
No weird noise, just doesn't go.
Another thing is that there is an annoying ratleing noise
from what it sounds like the inside of the dash a little
bit to the left of the gauges, the dash looks rock solid
but the noise is overwhelming and seems to be changing with
the speed, not always but it's there.
Any info on how to take the gauges console out, I want to
clean it and change the bulbs.
Final question what brandsize of suspension kit do you
recommend for it. I want to lower the car but not too much
just a little bit, the shocks are gone so I might as well
do it and what is the maximum size tires.
Wow, I've asked too many questions.
Thank you for all your help.
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Answer sounds like timing to me, how are the plugs, points and condenser. If new then advance timing just a bit and see if that helps.
Pull a plug and see what color the tip is and let me know. When were the valves done last, timing / dwell set?
The gauges just pull out by working a small plastic lever in and around the sides, you can also push them out from the back, be careful of the oil line, and electrical connections, you will have to undo these and the speedo cable to remove. Not sure if the sound you are hearing is speedo cable related or just something loose. Taking gauges out should help you locate it.
"Lowering" a benz is not an easy task, the springs are heavy duty and to remove takes special skills and tools. It is not a recommended procedure. Most of the time you can vary tires between 175-195 but the radius must remain because of rim size, I think you have 14's on that car
Go to tirerack.com and check out options
Good luck
Ron
Thank you Ron:
I removed the gauges and don't see anything loose.
I'll drive with just the oil pressure plugged in and see if it's the speedo cable only.
the sparks plugs are new, cables new, carburator new.
I took one spark plug and it looks just normal with some black resedue nothing unusual, I don't know when the rest of the things were done.
If I take it to a mechanic what do I tell them?
The engine runs smoothly on idle.
I was thinking of lowering by buying the kit and letting someone else do it. I know I can't do it but not sure what size springs and shocks to get.
THank you again.
ANSWER: if the plug tips are black , you may be running rich, so two things to do, lean carb out a bit and advance timing.
Ask mechaninc to check dwell and timing, advance a bit an d then try performance. You want to advance timing but not so much that you get pinging under load. It really is a trail and error , but typcally about 5 degrees more than specs works pretty well. A new carb may also need to be adjusted for lean/rich mixture.
Do you get black smoke on hard acceleration?
Vogtland Sport Springs may give you a 50mm drop, Neuspeed springs are another brand, you would just have to research
Good luck
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: No black smoke under accelaration, no smoke at all, I'll
ask for the things when I take it to my mechanic.
You said 50mm?
Wow, that is 5cm which is more than I want. Do you have
link for the Vogtland springs?
Thank you.
Answerwith no smoke, leave carb alone and have mechanic play with dwell and timing. Start the dwell at .018"
here you go
http://www.vogtlandsuspension.com/
your specific application may not be noted so you may have to email them specifics, They should have something that works
