i just finished the head on 300e 1988 m103

it was a good experience and fun... probably cost about 500 to 600

I had the had reworked for 250
gaskets were 90
sparkplugs 10
valve cover gasket 20

air filter 20
chain guide 12
front crank seal 20

mounts for the air filter housing 10

the only real problem was that stupid plastic timing chain guide.... be cautious and carefull of that monster........all in all it was a great experience...

now to the rear end.... and then the tranny, the hearter and ac and paint and the interior....

but it was a lot of fun.....

if you live near louisville ky and need some help let me know.

the instructions said to go to 70nm and then 90deg and then another 90deg

we did not have the nerve to go the second 90 degrees....

we were scared.... we were thinking about coming back at 1000 miles and
doing the second 90 deg...


what do you recommend....

I would NOT go to 1000 miles before doing the second 90 degrees. Go out there, take off the valve cover and do it NOW!

Those are stretch bolts. They are designed for this and if you do not stretch them enough, once the engine starts heat cycling you will not have enough clamping force to keep things in place.

I know how you feel about this. It feels like you're going to break something in two pieces when tugging on those bolts, but it must be done that way unless you enjoyed the job so much that you are anxious to do it again.

Good luck,
PS. Congrats on a job well done. LB

Well, are you using new bolts? I think many (maybe all) stretch type bolts are one-time-use - if you stretch them again, they may well break!

If you pay dealer prices, this can amount to a lot of money.

__________________
86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

so i took the valve cover off and we had not ran the motor..
and I pulled the bolts through another 90 degs... and boy was my
heart in my mouth.... and these were old bolts... being streched a second time.... i reused the originals....but it worked perfectly.. the head and the bolts took the preasure... and it now runs like new....

on the front of the engine i used rtv and there is no oil from there....

so now i am going to do the rear differential... and larry please tell me the penny trick for the drive shaft.