how do i check my timing chain in my '77 240d for stretch? and what is the stretch tolerance length? at what stretch length should i replace the chain?
thanks guys,
william gum

William, Look up your key words in the archives.
This topic has gotten alot of answers recently and in the past.
Good Luck

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

William,

I have checked several by lining up the top dead center on the harmonic balancer on the compression stroke, then check to see how perfectly the cam and bearing stand marks on the front of the camshaft are lined up. I have since learned from Steve Brotherton that to do this properly, you need to set up a dial indicator on one of the valves and monitor the valves position at a specified depth to accurately measure this. I believe you will need a factory Manual to get the exact depth of the valve for the check.

If the engine has had religiously frequent and thorough oil changes, the chain will go forever. Without extra frequent changes, particulate matter in the oil wears the chain. I would suggest that if it is a high mileage engine and you have not owned it since new and know for sure that it has had those religiously frequent oil changes, you can roll in a new chain almost as easy as you can check it for stretch. There is a tool for bradding the link pin ends, but you can do this if you're careful and thorough with a hammer and dolly.

Since it is a 240 instead of a 300, it is easier to get to the crankshaft to harmonic balancer bolt to turn the engine over while you feed the chain.

Best of luck,

Larry: You did it backwards. You should line up the cam marks and then read the degrees on the balancer. Over 3 degrees offset woodruff keys can be placed in camshaft sprocket to correct cam timing. This is easier and less costly than replacing the timing chain.

P E H

Either way should give you an idea of how well the cam lines up.

Good luck,

Yes, but aligning the cam marks and reading the balancer marks tells how many degrees the cam is off and the other way does not.
P E H