How long (how much time) does it takes you fairly accomplished mechanics to change a head gasket on a 603?

One long day if you have done it before and that is all you are going to do. One day off, one day on, if you haven't done it before.

Read the factory service manual.
Have the 12 point, triple square socket.
Everything is straight forward, nothing that I can remember out of the ordinary.

BUT

As long as you've got the head off....
Valves, guides, valve guide seals, ...

There might be some helpful information in this thread.
91 350 SDL Head R & R

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Greg
2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO

That wouldn't happen to be the head gasket on that '87 300D you bought from me would it?

Kevin

No...looking at an sdl with a reman engine and a 22 head. affter 40k shes got a leaky head. Not sure if I'll bite.....just thinking about it.

took me 4 months (see "memory lane" link in my sig)

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327K on 1986 W201, 602.911, 722.414 2.5 190D ("The Red Baron")
139K on 1993 W124, 104.942, 722.433 2.8 300E ("Queen")

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...0bb92d3c_m.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1325284354

Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
- Albert Einstein

take a walk down memory lane...