Timing my 1981 380SEL
 

This came about because my timing chain skipped timing because it didn't have enough tension. My manual says that the hydraulic valves do not need adjusting, and i am dreading taking off the cylinder heads.

My plan: loosen tension on chain, bring the left cam into correct time, followed by the right, followed by ignition time.

Any ideas/comments?
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Won't happen if your timing chain is not stretched, and your guides not broken. I can assure you with 100% certainty, either your chain is way too stretched, one (or more) of your timing chain guide rails have broken, or your tensioner is shot. Quite likely at least 2, if not all 3.

yes, a timing rail has broken, i found peices in the oil sump when i replaced my oil pump. Aside from that, any comments on my plan or am i just going to :behead: myself?

parallaxx, are you sure that the valves didn't collide with the cylinders, resulting in a catastrophic event for the valves? It happens often. If not, then your plan would be well-founded, as long as you make sure to roll in a new chain and replace the broken rail as well as the others along the top and the tensioner.

unsure - what are the consequences of such an event?

$$$.