Does the 126 V8 117 engine oil pump have one (1) or two (2) plastic rail tensioners? When changing oil pan gasket in 81 500 sel I found some small plastic rail pieces floating around; looking up to the oil pump chain I saw only one small plastic rail tensioner on the drivers side but no corresponding plastic rail tensioner for the passenger side? I visually confirmed that car has new timing chain and upper rails on the heads and the usual telltale previous chain scratches in the driver side valve cover. Car runs excellent, chain is tight, new chain tensioner etc. and beautifully clean engine internals.

Just one for the oil pump. Chances are you found the PO's left over rail bits.. How many miles are on the car? I would Hope it's not pieces from the lower rails.

Jonathan

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Blue Ridge Mercedes
Jonathan Hodgman
http://www.blueridgemb.com/
Enthusiast Service, Restoration & Tuning.
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Located in the Atlanta area
Specializing in all pre and post merger AMG's including Hammers and DOHC M117 engines.
Mercedes Repair Atlanta

Car has 141,000. Engine runs very smooth & quiet; no funny noises from lower timing chain cover to indicate lower rail failure. By the way; can 126 camshaft scratches be polished out; no cam lobe wear at all; just some scrtatches to indicate previous poor lubrication? oil pump screen and crankshaft had no sludge at all; just a very clean bottom of engine.

How many thousandths are the scratches? I'd be leery of polishing anything as you'll be taking down what's left of the hardening..

__________________
Blue Ridge Mercedes
Jonathan Hodgman
http://www.blueridgemb.com/
Enthusiast Service, Restoration & Tuning.
Follow Us on Facebook!
Located in the Atlanta area
Specializing in all pre and post merger AMG's including Hammers and DOHC M117 engines.
Mercedes Repair Atlanta