I have heard a lot of stories that a 240D engine can easily live through a timing chain break. A broken cam shaft would yield similar results, especially if it broke near the front of the engine.

The good news is the valves sit in the head vertically and the pistons hitting the valves may not bend them. The cam bearing housings usually yield before anything else. A riverboat gambler might simply replace the cam shaft and broken cam bearings and see what it will do? Might not even have to remove the head.

Good luck.

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1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold