Definitely wouldn't work with an automatic, but that's a nifty trick for a stick-shift.

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Graham, you are not stirring the pot...
I have seen FSM's which stated how many Ft/lbs a newly rebuilt engine should require to turn over... meaning that if you got to that number and it was not moving you should check for something binding...

With something like 21 to 1 compression.... I am betting that spec you found is exceeded in turning over the engine..

Anyone thought of this from the other end ? Why did the Mercedes people writing the FSM SPECIFY using the crank bolt ? Why would they have not mentioned...given its handy location... using the ps nut ?

UNLESS there was some physics reason not to...
if it were not a taper fitting...there would be no good reason not to use it...

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

If possible, use the crank bolt to turn the engine over, less stress all the way around.

Better yet, use a momentary bump switch connected to the terminal block just in front of the battery, as pictured.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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83 SD

84 CD