Let me try to clarify.

Yes, the car apparently needs a HG and was partially disassembled prior to my purchase. The sprocket and some topend bits are missing currently, thanks to Jimmy they are on the way!

I haven't a clue where the timing is on the crank in relation to the cam.

From my reading in the FSM, I have to be able to rotate the motor over by hand in order to remove the rocker assemblies. THEN I can go back and remove the rest of the top end parts. At least that is how I understand to disassemble the parts to pull the head.

I have a good machinist so maybe I'll do a valve job, I was going to do seals 100%.

__________________
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]

Right now I am working during the week in SouthEast Fort Worth and staying with my parents in the evening in Grand Prairie so I roll through Arlington every evening. In fact I had the pleasure of meeting an Arlington Police Officer on I-20 last night and gave him my autograph.

Anyway, if you are home around 5:15 or 5:30 in the evenings, maybe I could stop by and help you get it timed.

Let me know.

If the car was up there I would love the assistance!

__________________
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]

Heck, I'd tow it from Houston to Arlington for an offer like that!!

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Update -

Got the manifolds off today. Yanked water pump, thermo housing, the old rad hoses, the rad, and some other misc junk.

Installed cam sprocket and removed rockers. Cam is still attached to the cylinder head. Motor rotates over well by hand, so nothing is broken from what I can tell.

BUT

I am unable to line up the balancer with the cam tower mark. It usually shows just a few degrees but it's not close. I guess I need to reinstall the chain tensioner?

__________________
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]

When I wondered my cam gear around, I found the same thing, but you can kind of simulate chain tension by pushing on the side of the chain that contacts the tensioner. Maybe I got lucky, but it worked for me. Don't know about your car, but the 617 #1 cam lobe points 90deg to driver's side. So I eyeballed that and pushed on the chain to simulate the tension. Voila! And then I said a little prayer of thanks to the MB gods. Good luck!

__________________

1998 E300D, 287k, barely broken in.

Okay rad, I'll toss it back in tomorrow and give it a shot.

I forgot the car has a Bosch reman alt, starter, and injectors for MB!

__________________
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]