Hello, I'm replacing the timing chain on my '88 300e and the timing marks don't line up. The key in the crank is straight up and down but the mark on the cam is off to the left (a little arrow pointing towards a small hole). As y'all can tell, I'm sorta new at this but I'm gonna be good!

Should I turn the crank alone to make the new chain match the sprockets exactly and leave the cam timing mark alone?

Should I turn the camshaft so that the timing mark is straight up and down?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What does the crank pulley read when the cam marks are aligned? Are you off by 360 / # of cam sprocket teeth * 2? e.g., if the cam marks align at 4.5* ATDC at the crank and there are 40 teeth on the cam sprocket then you're probably off by a tooth.

Are you measuring with the tensioner set?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

That won't accomplish anything because the tensioner will take up the slack you used to fudge alignment.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL