I appreciate the help...I'm gonna look it up on my .pdf's later tonight....see what they say about pulling the crank (if anything).
I'm half concerned w/cost and half ...time- the car still does NOT have a body worth keeping. if all it takes is dropping the trans, unbolting stuff to get at the crank, and shoving it back together, it might be worth the small sum I paid in the first place. I have wanted an MB diesel for a while now...
If not, I'm gonna be looking for people who want parts and a yard that wants the car. I'm on the east side of cincinnati...

-John

__________________
2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)