Hello All
I am new and this is my first post.
I wish to first to say it is nice to see so many people helping each other in this forum.
I purchased a flawless "body and interior" 1987 420sel with a gas engine.
First question I have is where can I get an owners manual for this car and a repair manual for the engine.
I was driving the car home after just buying it from a private party and it quit while getting on an on ramp so at speed, It was hauled in to MBI in Portland OR.
I was quoted $1500.00 per cylinder to repair the engine.
After looking real hard I see that the timing chain guides gave out they did not roll between the chain and gears on the cams but balled up in pieces between the chain and head housing.
I am a certified mechanic in gas and diesel engines but not for these cars.
My business also is a machine shop.
I have never worked on one of these but looks easy to me and I know I can do the job and right.
I am planning on turning the engine to get the valves into the closed position for leak down testing, to help determine if there is bent valves.
If that passes on all holes I am planning on replacing the chain and guides I seen on this site they offer plastic as well as heavy duty steel ones, which would be better the steel or plastic??
I feel I am looking at head repair or replacement.
If the chain jumped a tooth does this mean destruction of the valves period, or has anybody been lucky with this method like I said I have never rebuilt this type of engine.
I bought this as a gift for my wife and she loves the car so kinda stuck in fixing it, and before I pay $1500.00 per hole I'll junk it LOL.
Any thoughts I would be grateful and any links on the repair owners manual.
thank you.
Robert
please feel free to contact owenaero@hotmail.com or as a replay.