I have had a lot of problem with my ISP and was not able to add info and edit my first post. Please re-read my post as I hope to have clarified and completed it.

All I can say about the MB engine manual that I own is that I have found info in it that does not directly apply to my 300D (see my post about injector nozzles and whether to use the nozzle plates/sealing washers). I do know that most Honda service manuals available when I was associated with Honda did not contain all the info that was available to the dealership - much less the info American Honda had. I am fairly certain that MB service departments have 1,000's of pages and/or CD-ROMS with much more info than what the public can buy. I am not inferring that the MB manual is misleading and/or wrong - I am saying that we may not have all the info available. I have also found info about MB vehicles in service manuals at my library that is not in my MB service manuals, especially the Mitchell service manuals. However, these other manuals do not have info contained in the MB manual.

The method that anyone uses to attach their timing chain is up to them. I am only providing my opinion on the method I know will work - endless chains are far stronger than chains using a master link (the e-type or c-type clip). However, I do know that some/many will take exception to my suggestion/knowledge/opinion since my background is on less-well engineered vehicles than the engineering used in MB vehicles and my actual experience on MB vehicles is limited to my personal 300D and some with one medium-duty MB truck (GVW 40,000 lbs.) - so be it.

Good Luck!

Tom