Hello, What does the manual mean by right hand side camshaft....in the context of the service manual 05-320. I am thinking it is the passenger side but want to make sure before cutting the old timing chain off. This is for a 1988 420sel.Thanks

Yes, it is.


Salut!

So then if you are facing the motor standing in front of the car then it would be the left side. There goes the theory that the manual always assumes you to be standing in front of the engine. Manual says to start on the "right hand side camshaft", but then has a really crappy picture of a guy cutting the chain off on what looks like the passenger side (left) camshaft.

I think there should be a rule that when posting or explaining things to people we should use designations like drivers side and passenger side to avoid confusion. I almost cut my timing chain on the drivers side cam to start rolling in a new chain....wonder how that would have went?

I sure am glad Hit Man X and AL came to my rescue last night, Thanks again, guys.

And also Thanks to the DR. for confirming

Everything is referenced by the drivers seat. For instance if you are sitting in the drivers seat, the right valve cover is on the right side of the car. The left valve cover is on the left side. If the car is a RHD the same rules apply.

Now the problem comes in if we have a front wheel drive car with a transverse mounted engine, which is the left valve cover and which is the right? Or is it a front and rear valve cover? When you order parts you can only say something like 'I need the one close to the front (or rear) of the car.'

Paul

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

On transverse engines I imagine it to be like sitting on the engine as if it is a horse....the right side is the firewall side. This from a long time parts guy .

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1983 380SL
1995 C280
1995 S500 coupe
1990 Mazda Miata
2004 Suzuki Hayabusa

Pili380SL
We had the most problem with motor mounts. On a car that had 4 mounts you have a front, rear, left and right motor mount. Are they referenced to the car or the engine? We determined that it depended on who you called. So it just became the one by the left front wheel or the one just behind the grill, or something to describe where it was located in the car. Then we still got the wrong part. Parts people have a tough time working with mechanics, manufacturers, parts distributors, etc. I admire them.
Paul

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84 500 SEL (307,xxx miles)

O.k This conflicts and is opposite to what pawsd has said in another thread. He says that manuals are written and should be interpreted as if standing in front of the engine looking at it. I suppose if what you are saying is correct then the owners manual for THIS car confirms that what you are saying is correct as far as referenced from the drivers seat. Thanks.... good to know and important at least for this. Since starting this thread I have been linked to the peach parts wiki on timing chain replacement and it is a lot more straight forward with the modern photographs. I found another site that has an even better write up with photos. Of course I was almost done by the time I found it. It was from a foreign country.

I'm sorry if i seem condescending that is not what i was aiming for! I was simply stating what appears obvious to me, you would never witness anyone asking what is the front or the rear of this car so why would the left or the right side be any different? If you are quoting a repair manual for the car it would seem obvious that left or right hand side would ascertain to the vehicle not the man working on it, just the same as a rear light stays a rear light whether the the car is facing the sunny side of the kitchen window or not. I never meant to cause you any sorrow but you have to handle the truth.

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600SEL '91
300E 4Matic '88
240D '83
280SE '77
350SE '73
The most complex systems can fail in the simplest way.
Contra verbosus noli contendere verbis, sermo datur cunctis, animi sapientia paucis.

i don't believe in the lord! He's never bought me a Mercedes Benz.

This is a trivial problem, I'm sorry. And the trivial answer to your trivial problem that was stated by three different members is too hard to comprehend somehow? Maybe you shouldn't be rebuilding an engine. That's not condescending, it's simply an observation.

If you had a more complex issue, there are plenty of knowledgeable minds around here to help you out step by step, for free. As with anything else on the internet you can find for free, take it or leave it! We're all just having a good time around here sharing free advice and knowledge, most of the time the joshing around here is to make you laugh at yourself, not send you into the corner pouting! Lighten up!

Your right or MY RIGHT? LOL!

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1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...