I am not sure how to proceed on the following problem. I have a 1995 E300 diesel with a 606 series engine. I also have a parts car of the same series. The car was starting and ran ok, but after 20 minutes I was experiencing white smoke and lose of coolant. After two head gasket replacements, I decided to swap the heads. With the parts car head in place without the cams installed, I inadvertently turn the crank over with the ignition switch. I placed the crank at TDC and installed the cams. At this point the chain was too short to install the sprocket on the exhaust cam. I pulled on the chain portion that was feeding into the injector pump. It pulled a spring back and I was able to install the sprocket. I put everything back together and the car would not start. I don’t have a clear way to proceed. Any help would be appreciated.

In the case of what happened you did not mention following any manual. I think you were supposed to pull the timing chain tensioner off and that is why you had trouble getting the timing chain back on.

The surest way to go would be to line up the crankshaft after the compression stroke ath 15 degrees after top dead center (or what ever degrees is applicable for your
engine).
Remove the Fuel Injection Pump and properly install the Fuel Pump Injection Timing/Locking Pin. And reinstall the Fuel Injection pump. Remove the Timing Pin and replace the Plug. That puts it at a basic static timing and the engine should able to start after the air is bled out.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I have the pocket mechanic manual for the car and l did have the tensioner removed..

The I don't know what to say. However, the Fuel Injection Pump Timing issue should be in your manual.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel