I leaved on pins and needles with my previous rod bender. It consumed a quart of oil every 500-600 miles. Bought it with a 150,000 miles and it made it to almost 300,000 before Bambi took it out. (I'm due $7000 from insurance, but I am keeping the car around for practice til the new one is done.) Once these w140s make it to a certain point they are supposed to last a while. I've got good feelings on the black one.

Plan Z when I bought this car was to put in the OM606 engine from 98/99 E-class, ala JTripp. If I had a blown head gasket and were going to a shop for this process, I'd probably make the leap. Sixto has recommended the 3.0L engine as a replacement. The current job is a big step up. Perhaps with that under my belt I might be crazy enough to attempt an engine swap.

My hope is that the head will check out and just need the new set of Merc valve seals. I don't care what the cylinders look like, but I'll report on them and attempt photos.

Ordering up everything today. I am sure I will be too slow on this project, but I'd rather get it back together quickly while everything is fresh in my mind.