Okay, here's the deal. I just bought a 1984 380SL. The owner had just had the timing chain break and did $6000 damage (ay carumba!) which he had fixed at the local Mercedes-Benz dealer before he died. I do not know if it has the single or double row chain...I was told that they changed sometime around 1984. I ALSO do not know if the replacement chain was a double or single row.

What should I do?

99.9999% sure an 84 would have a double row chain. If it was replaced by a dealer 99.99999999% sure it has a double row chain now. If you have records, run the part numbers by a shop or this forum, or pull a valve cover and find out for yourself.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL

Your car has to have the double row for three reasons:

1. I've also read that in 1984 they all came with the double row.
2. I can't imagine a dealer / independent would do a timing chain replacement and not convert to a double row.
3. All of the 380 SL / SEL's that had the single row that weren't converted have all by now probably blown up.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".