thanks for all the tips guys!i'll have to double check if they did indeed shim the pre chambers, how do i check this on my own without removing the prechamber(which i can't)? i can just measure the protrusion, anybody have specs for this?

the haynes manual that i have is for a mercedes w124, it includes all the engine variations. it vdoes have all the numerical specs listed, though i'll have to check if it has the prechamber protrusion number.

about the lifters: they are very easy to depress, all of 'em are, i guess they've been drained of oil, they can be primed manualy right?
IF ever, is it bad to run bad lifters? does it do physical damage or just the performance?

btw, while i was doing initial prep on the block i noticed that while cleaning the pistons that i could move them a bit side-to-side(back-to-front blockwise) is this normal?
and when i vacuumed the block surface, a bit of oil was seeping up between the cylinder sleeves and the block(not the piston/sleeve), i could see a very slight gap(oil) batween the sleeve and the block when i look hard enough, this normal?

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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project