First , I would like to say thanks for all the helpful advice I found
on search. I'm new to this site and found it very informative. My problem is
this, I working on a 81' 380sl, for a friend. I'm not a MB mechanic, just
your run of the mill tech. I do little things Brakes, tune-ups,etc.. However,
while I was working on the car last week (waterpump\oil change) I noticed
apon starting the vechile ( after the oil change) , a rattle that I suspect to be
a loose Timing Chain. The rattle went away as oil pressure increased.
The car has 107k on the engine and is a single-link chain. I let the car sit
over night and the rattle was still there in lesser form. It dosen't however
do it everytime you start the car. I consulted a MB tech and he said , the
car must be converted to a dual-chain. I told my friend I would research
his options. I came across this site a while ago and came back to see what
I could find. From what I gather he has to convert? There is no other
option. I got a price of $3300, does this sound right? I know book time
alone is 24.4 hrs. Dropping the front-end carrier and all. Does anyone have
any thoughts on this situation? I would appreciate any input.

Thank You,ecweasel