Fuel Distributor Question For Techs

[87-300E_in_NC]

This question goes out to the MB techs (or anyone that knows the fuel distributor like they know their home phone #)........

I have reason to believe that my fuel distributor has been toyed with by someone before I purchased my '87 300E with the 2.6 engine.

The plunger, when depressed by thumb (and under fuel pressure with lines capped) leaks. There is an extreme amount of free-play between the plunger stem and the hole that it travels through, (where the seal is).....so, just replacing the seal will make no change in this situation. My question is: Is this normal, or did someone play put-together the FD and see if it works?

Answers would be appreciated from those that know...instead of those that think they know, because this is an expensive replacement part, new, rebuilt, or used.

Too much fuel in the intake manifold is what my engine is experiencing. It will crank (after I dry the plugs, open the air flow plate and throttle, then spin the engine) and run fairly good for warm-up, then will die.....I took it to 7K without hesitation, so pressure is not the cause, unless the upper/lower chamber pressure is being misguided from a sticking valve in the FD....EHA unplugged makes no change.

Thanks, and Happy New Year!