I am in process of changeing my head gasket, could anyone tell me why the instructions I have tells me to turn number 1 piston to top dead,after I pull the head off? Is the a reason I can't just "NOT" move anything ,cam or crank,and then put the head back on block ,after I replace the head gasket. also,any tips on removeing those spark plug wires??? thank you for any help...

the only way to make sure nothing moved is to set it up on 0. too much at risk. to pull the wires, use pliers that are curved to pull a heater hose off. twist back and forth, then pull. good luck, chuck.

If it were my car, I'd set the piston before head removal.

There are all kinds of theories about getting the spark plug resistor tips off 103's. One person who was a regular here a few yrs. back claimed he pulled them off with his hands. I must be weak.

Anyway, the MB part # for their contraption is 103 589 00 37 00, but I personally believe that Hazet # 1849 - 195mm gets them off quicker and easier. Before you reinstall coat the outer ceramic portion of the plug with dilectric grease as well as the inner part of the resistor tip or follow the directions on the tube of dilectric grease.

http://www.baumtools.com

is but one provider of MB tools to include the 2 I've mentioned.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Thanks a lot for the sugestions,I guess I'll set the #1 piston to tdc ,before I pull the head,and "mark" everything I can on the cam,timming chain sprocket and so on.this is my first experence with a overhead can so, I'm a little nervous about it. thanks for all the help...

Also take pictures along the way. I wish I had.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K