Well, after a year of the car sitting I finally got around to trying to yank the head off. 1987 300TDT 124 series...

Got everything stripped except the pins for the upper chain guide...I kinda wanna use the stack of nuts and washers method but that pin seems a little fragile...don't wanna strip out the inside threads. any thoughts????

also, does the vaccum pump need to be removed? I don't see where it's connected to the head?

BTW, the inside of the valve cover looked brand new, not even any oil build up, deposits or sludge anywhere. You could eat off the inside of this thing...500K plus miles????????

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1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5