The machine shop (Metric Motors) informed me that the top end has already been rebuild before and that not much was left to take off. What surprised me, because the car has only 89K miles (I have the CarFax). On top of that it's an early version of the M103 and I believe a 1990 300SE should have the later version with the improved cam. So maybe at one point they replaced the entire engine with an older engine. What year did they install the newer M103's?

They also shortened the pipe on the head to the water pump so they were able to replace the short hose, shall I leave it that way or have them install an original length pipe. I already bought a Mercedes hose, but I can see there is an advantage in leaving it short.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).