As I was just looking at the upper timing chain rails for the 380sl on several websites, -- e.g.,
http://www.mercedes-benz-parts-direct.com/epc-items.asp
and
http://www.thebenzbin.com/parts/?N=11159+4294966701+1668+7281) -- I happened to notice that there are plastic rails made by Swag for $4-5@ and metal rails made by Meyle for close to $20@. However, I did not realize this when I changed my rails several years and app. 40-50k miles ago. So, I used the plastic rails. Of course, had I known then that there were metal rails, I would have used them instead -- considering how crucial they are to the engine's timing, and the plastic ones' tendency to crack with age.
I was therefore wondering if the metal rails are new, and if other people have also replaced their rails with the plastic ones -- either because they didn't realize that metal ones existed, or because the metal ones don't have a big advantage for some reasons.
I also happened to notice on the Benz Bin's website that the tensioner rail requires a rubber lining, but I don't recall whether the tensioner rail I used came with a rubber lining on it or not. Does anyone happen to know whether they typically do or don't?
Thanks very much for the feedback.
Bill
Thanks very much for the info.
Bill