Actually, the aluminun MB V8s can be bored, honed, and then coated with the proper equipment. Hans has only done one, and that one was driven until the engine locked up from overheating.

What will drive you nuts with them is that the head bolts sieze in the block unless someone else has put inserts in -- later blocks come that way, but ealier ones have to be done at the shop, and the cam tower bolts are angled.... you can guess what the jig costs!

I set the timing with an adapter, but I found later that the dial indicator extension was unscrewing. Sorta complicated everything. I'm sure it's too late as I have low power, too much smoke at throttle, and limited revs -- sorta runs out of juice at 4000 rpm and smokes like crazy. Same as it did when the IP was screwed up by previous service (cold start was stuck on, parts missing, etc.). I'm just going to rotate it some and try, without undoing the basic timing -- one has to lock the pump, unbolt the rear cam cog, then rotate to get the correct setting on the dial indicator, then manage to re-tighten the bolt without moving anything --- I get it as close as I can then rotate the pump as necessary.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!