240D Cam Timing/Possible tooth slip?

[willjayc]

I just bought a 1981 240D, (my birth year car!) after selling my two previous MB's ('77 300D and '79 240D) about 6 months back. This new one is a beauty find for somewhere like Ontario where we don't get too many that are not full of holes.

First on my list was an oil change and valve adjustment, which I have done well over a dozen times before, but apparently I'm a little rusty, I was turning the engine backwards for a few valves before I realized. I've turned everything back proper (clockwise, which I think I'll never forget again) and adjusted all of the valves. Now when checking my cam timing by lining up the cam notches, my crank is retarded by about 6 degrees. I didn't check it before, was it likely set like this or Did I skip a tooth?

I have read all of the searches I can find on timing and cam timing and found mention of skipping a crank tooth equal to about 7 degrees....did this likely happen by cranking the engine backwards?

Is it an issue? How can I fix it?

I'm afraid to start the car!

Help much appreciated.

Thanks,

Will

PS....I was turning the engine over by the crankshaft nut and not the camshaft nut.