Head gasket replacement

[MarkM]

Due to oil in coolant, I need to replace head gasket in my 85 300D with 252,000 miles on it. The car is otherwise in great shape, and I expect to run this car for another 250,000 mi. or more.

I would like to do the job myself, but I have never removed a head before. However, I have done many other difficult repairs and feel that I can do it (in my driveway, no garage).

Once I remove the head, I should probably bring it to a shop for valve work, checking for warpage, replace valve guides, etc. The problem with this option is finding a reputable shop that knows what they are doing, and the down-time for the vehicle, and high cost.

Here is another option that I am considering, and would appreciate any comments on this.....I can buy a reconditioned head from Performance Products for $895 plus shipping and core charge. They say that their heads have been resurfaced, pressure tested, magnafluxed, new valve seats cut, new valves and springs installed, new guides honed to size, timing and cam bearings inspected and replaced if needed. These heads are reconditioned by a company called "Metric Motors" who have worked exclusively on MBZ for over 20 years, and they use OEM parts and done to the standards of MBZ (sounds good to me!!!)

By getting the reconditioned head, I could realistically do the head gasket/valve job in one weekend (even one day!!) for about $1,000.

In my vehicle currently, I get good compression (300psi+) in each cylinder and car runs great, and does not consume oil, so I dont really need head work. But I suspect that at some point, valve guides will go, and valves will need touch up. Even though the car runs great now, it doesnt make sense to me to simply re-install head without any head work. (cheap but not to smart, given that I want to run the car for another 10 years!)

This is my daily driver so down time is an important factor....also money is an important factor.

My questions are:

1) does anyone have any knowledge/experience about quality of Performance Products' reconditioned heads??

2) I do have the tool for removing the 12-point head bolts, and I am familiar with tightening sequence, torquing, etc. I have never removed a head or manifolds on any of my cars. How difficult or easy is this job...my sense is that it is fairly straightforward.

3) What do you do with the timing chain during head removal....do you remove a link, secure it with wire? when removing head?

4) on a 300D, are there any special tools, pullers necessary for the job...I thought I remember reading that there is some type of pin on the chain guide or something that needs to be extracted ???

Sorry for the long question, I would appreciate any feedback from someone who has done it...thanks in advance

Mark