Looks good to me too.

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1981 300SD 118K
2000 Toyata Tundra 64K

I did a head gasket on my 87300D a year ago (thought I had a bad gasket, but was a loose oil plug, back side of head) and would tell you it isn't that big of a deal to remove the head. Bet it wouldn't take but 1-1/2 hours to get it off (helps if you have a hoist)

Transferring the exhaust manifold W/turbo attached to a replacement head wont take too long either. It's a full days work, and the really only hard part, not really all that hard, is torquing the head bolts, everything else is easy, really!

Consider doing it yourself and save $3000, people here will guide you.

I just wish I knew more about OHC timing and timing chain installs, then I'd be far less scared...

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I took a the plunge for the first time and pulled the head on the 617. Had a few reservations before I started with it, but, there is more than enough advice on here to help you out. I'm still waiting for the machine shop to finish it so I can reinstall it.

Don't attempt it without the FSM. This is even more important on the 603, but has become invaluable for me on the 617 as well.

what is fsm please?

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Factory Service Manual.

thanks, brian.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I've done head swaps before, but only on domestic small blocks... Turbo Buick 231 and Small Fords. So my knowledge is limited but I know what's involved, basically treading into uncharted waters.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Hello All...

Thanks for everyone's input. I checked the reservoir level and made sure it was at the proper cold temp level on the reservoir. That was a couple of days ago. Low level indicator has not come on and I haven't had to add any fluid. That is good !! I mentioned that tapping noise in an earlier post. I really think that the injectors need to be checked or replaced. It maybe something to do with the prechamber. I don't know. I am not as technical as most of you guy's. Anyway, I spoke to the mechanic that will be looking at it Monday. He said that I could have more than one thing happening at once. He's not going to rip into anything, but I just want him to start it cold and just do an evaluation of sorts before we do anything. The tapping noise is getting less and less when the car is warm. If it sits at idle for a few minutes, it will start to ping / tap / smoke. More if you just started it when it's cold. Anyway, he said to drive it as much as possible the rest of the week and see if anything changes. Knowing how much this car was at rest in the garage over the years, it may just need to be driven.

I'll let you guy's know how the week goes and if the car acts up.

Later,
scott

One other point to note:

Nearly all of these older 603 engines suffer from tapping lifters periodically. This one sometimes taps when cold and sometimes taps when really hot, such as after a 4 hour freeway run.

The tapping can get quite loud at times, leading you to believe that you have something seriously wrong with the engine. But, the next day, the tapping is gone, as mysteriously as it arrived.

So, if you have any tapping noises that are sporadic, it's most likely the lifters.

Most of us just drive them that way. The camshaft needs to be removed to get at them and they are probably $30.00 apiece now.