Okay, I installed the crane fireball, and I can't get this sucker to start up anymore. I know the ignition is working well because if I pull out all 4 spark plug wires and hold them upto the engine block, they all spark in the correct order, so I am back to the timing problem I guess. I still haven't gotten the timing pointer I ordered last week, so I am stuck guessing. How do you set the timing with the fireball in place? It won't let me see a spark with while manually cranking the engine. In the position that the distributor was in before the installation, the car almost starts and then backfires (through the exhaust pipe). What should I do?

If you go to the Crane website, there are some pretty good instructions on how to install and troubleshoot the unit. It sounds to me like you may have a phasing problem which has changed your timing. The instructions on the web site discuss this.

Chuck

The procedure for setting the timing with the Crane is the same as before. There is one more varable ... the optical pick-up must fire the coil when the rotor is pointing at the plug location in the rotor cap. It is easy to just install the pick-up so it fires "between" wires, or on the wrong wire when the advance advances. The Crane will fire at normal cranking speeds.

We got the car started last night!!! It runs great. I had to get a mechanic friend over to help me out, but he was able to set the timing, and tune the carbs in half an hour! It was so much fun to drive to work this morning! We did find a few minor problems. The starter is bad...it doesn't want to work when it heats up, so no short trips to the store until that is fixed. Luckily I have a friend who used to own a starter rebuilding company. The other problem is that the alignment is way off. Anyone set their own alignment?

I have done a temporary alignment by pulling a string from the rear tires and setting the front tires so the leading and trainilg part of the tire "just touch" the string. This will set zero toe in. OK for a little driving until you can get it properly aligned at a shop.

Can most alignment shops do the alignment, or do these 190SL's require special tools and skills not found at my local Sears Auto?

Now you need to change your Signature!!!!

'57 190SL -- IT'S ALIVE!!!!
'70 280SE -- not working
'86 560SEC AMG -- it better work or I am screwed!

Keep up the progress!!!
Bryan