The vise grip on the spring should work. Try hooking a push button switch to the starter solenoid so you can blip the starter to turn the engine. This way you can see the cam lobes as they turn and adjust the ones that are pointing up.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 167,870 July 2025
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked