After much procrastination I bought a BAUM TOOL, Mercedes single and double Timing Chain Crimp Tool. I am in the midst of getting an '83 300 Turbo engine ready to transplant into my '77, 240D. The tool makes the crimping process a piece of cake. I have the engine on a stand at present. My daughter helped me thread the NEW chain through the engine. I removed the cam sprocket so I could drape the old chain away from the head opening while I ground the old link off. I re-installed the cam sprocket.
I then attached the NEW chain to the OLD one and used the OLD link I had ground the pins on. I used the Crimping tool to re-install the old end plate to connect BOTH chains together. With my daughter holding the chains on the cam sprocket, I LIGHTLY peened the OLD link pins just enough to hold well. We threaded the new chain on. I removed the OLD link and chain, joined the new chain together, installed the center plate and the end plate with the tool and crimped it!
The tool was $220.00 plus shipping but WELL worth the peace of mind. I queried a guy that had a tool for $179.00 but it was made in CHINA! BAUM TOOL isn't
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Timing-Chain-Press-Set-Double-Row-Engine-Tool-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19c1b970fbQQitemZ110624338171QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools#ht_

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

Why does Mercedes not use a chain with a master link? Is there a concern that the little clip that holds the master link on will be unreliable?

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

That sounds like a solid way to do a job that looks as if it would be nerve wracking.

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My occupational hazard bein'
my occupation's just not around...
1980 300SD
1980 300SD

I DO hope you will be putting the tool up in the rental forum!!!
be sure and get the full purchase price as a deposit and charge a reasonable rental fee to use the tool!
make some coin back and give us poor mechanics a chance at a great tool!

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I wondered this too as the factory shop engine manual I have shows one with two circlips. They must have had failures with them
I have had this new chain for 10 years. I was going to change it out on an '84 300D wagon we had but never did because I didn't have the crimper tool.
Here is a picture of the crimp it did.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

Here is a pic of the Made In China Tool.
The real quality tool does not cost that much more and is going to have a better resale value than the China one.
Also if you damage or lose any parts on the Quality Tool you can replace them.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel