560SEL timing mark question
 

I pulled the front cover from my 1987 560SEL to put in new rails and a chain and I wanted to ask if there is a specific mark on the distributor intermediate sprocket (between the Crankshaft Sprocket and the left/driver's side camshaft sprocket) that I need to line up when the vehicle is TDC? I have a drawing of the engine that says that there is a timing mark but I could not see it on my sprocket. I figured that when I drop the distributor down I could align it so that the rotor points to cylinder #1 but maybe I can't if there is some mark involved and I am not right on (and I don't want to figure that out after I put the cover and everything else back on).
Cheers.
Eain

Here goes the image I was talking about
 

On the attached image you can see the intermediate gear for the distributor with a timing mark notation on it. I don't see the timing mark on the sprocket though. Any insight?

are you sure you're not 180 out?

Keep turning...there are marks;-)

Jonathan

No mark on the sprocket is necessary. You set timing when you install the distributor. There is a timing mark on the distributor for this purpose. You set the engine to 0 degrees TDC and then install the distributor until the rotor is lined up with the little mark that is on the edge. It will be at about the 11 O clock position then looking down at the distributor. The cap must be removed to do this.

I figured as much about the lack of a timing mark since I could not see one on the gear or the block. The parts place I go to on the web also has a photo of an intermediate gear that lacks any markings also as seen in this image:
http://12.153.160.115/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/imc/images/tn/1161500812.jpg
It was just the repair manual drawing that threw me when it said in the drawing that there was a timing mark.
I figured I should be fine with just dropping in the distributor with the rotor at #1 when the car is at TDC but I just wanted to confirm. THanks again.
Cheers.