1963 190 c (new timing chain)

How do you align a new timing chain for this gas model engine? What I'm doing now is putting a dial indicator on the number 1 intake after taking out the slack between the rocker arm.I zero the dial indicator on the base of the cam. I rotate the engine clockwise until I approach TDC. I watch the dial indicator until it reads .4 mm or .016 thousands of an inch and look at the degrees on the crankshaft. I get 21 degrees BTDC where I should be getting 10 degrees BTDC. If I change a tooth I get 3 degrees BTDC. What am I doing wrong. Perhaps I put the cam sprocket on backwards (if possible). I need help!!!!!!

[ctaylor738]

You might also put this on mercedes-veterans.com board.

On this forum, WR (Randy) Durrance is the expert on questions like this.

Chuck

[skalie]

I would also suggest posting it on this site in the "tech help" forum.

[bstreep]

OK, with the caveat that I don't know what I'm talking about...

My understanding is that even with a new chain, there is wear in the sprockets as well, and you likely won't get the cam and the crank to match. You can use offset woodruff keys for the cam sprocket to correct this. Or, a prior owner may have installed one and you don't know it. They are available from Partsshop and your local Mercedes dealership for a few bucks each. I'm not home, so I don't remember specifically which ones are available. Somehow, I'm thinking 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0 or something like that. Make sure whoever you talk to you give the correction you need that you specify CRANKSHAFT. I think that the cam is 1/2 that of the crank. It's a very easy installation, just make SURE you re-torque the cam bolt - or you might break a cam! Pull the bolt, then carefully knock the sprocket free (don't drop the chain!) to expose the woodruff. Replace it with the new one - make sure you check to see if an offset has already been used before!