Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Vintage Mercedes Forum

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-14-2005, 01:14 AM
Tomguy's Avatar
Vintage Moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: near Scranton, PA
Posts: 5,407
Thumbs up Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!

I finally got around to doing my timing chain today - all told, it was not even a 1-hour job, including the removal and reinstallation of the battery, plugs, right valve cover, and fan.The tools I used are as follows: a 10mm combo wrench to remove the fan, a 10mm socket w/extension to remove the valve cover, a 13mm combo wrench to remove the battery cables, a 1+1/4" socket and 5" worth of extensions (one 2" and one 3" - note that 6" was too long) to turn the crank bolt (27mm is probably the "actual" size, but I used my 6-pt SAE one which fit as well as the 12-pt metric), a Dremel with a fiberglass cutoff wheel to cut a link on the old chain, a thin-blade slotted screwdriver and hammer to remove the link, and, lastly, 3 small vise-grips ($1.88 each at Wal*Mart) to hold the chain to the sprocket.

This is a step-by-step guide on how I rolled my new chain in, and although I did it on an m117, it is probably applicable to many engines.

Step 1: Remove the battery, air cleaner assembly, spark plugs, fan, and (right side) valve cover.

Step 2: If you want to measure the old chain's stretch to compare it to the new chain, now's the time to do so! I have a good 12° or so of stretch.

Step 3: Clamp the chain to the sprocket. Then, in a spot between the two clamps, cut/grind off the ends of the link until they no longer stick out from the end of the link. I put a rag beneath the sprocket to keep grindings out of the crankcase.

Step 4: Using a thin-bladed screwdriver and hammer, remove the end of the link. You can then remove the rest of the link and pull the ends up, preparing to put the new chain on.

Step 5: To make it easier, I made the box into a "Dispenser" to help keep the chain clean and in one place, instead of hanging all over the place.

(Continued)

Attached Thumbnails
Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic1.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic2.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic3.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic4.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic5.jpg  

__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-14-2005, 01:29 AM
Tomguy's Avatar
Vintage Moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: near Scranton, PA
Posts: 5,407
Step 6: Attatch one end of the new chain to the leading (right) end of the old chain. To keep the lagging end from falling into the crankcase, I attatched it to the hood stop buffer.

Step 7: Rotate the crankshaft clockwise until the leading clamp is right on the edge of the guide rail - about 2:00.

Step 8: Attatch the third clamp to the sprocket to keep the chain on - about 8:00.

Step 9: Remove the top clamp (about 11:00) and pull the lagging end of the chain back to the 8:00 clamp.

Step 10: Put the new chain on the sprocket.
Attached Thumbnails
Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic6.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic7.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic8.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic9.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic10.jpg  

__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-14-2005, 01:45 AM
Tomguy's Avatar
Vintage Moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: near Scranton, PA
Posts: 5,407
Step 11: Put the clamp removed in step 9 back on the 11:00 position (this time though, it's holding on the new chain).

Step 12: Remove the leading clamp (2:00). Then repeat steps 7 through 11 until the end of the old chain is reached.

Step 13: As you can see, I skipped a tooth about 3/4 of the way through. I thought I corrected this, but I didn't apparently. So on how to correct this...

Step 14: I attatched the leading end of the chain to the hood, then removed the 2:00 clamp. I then rotated the camshaft clockwise one tooth, and then reclamped the chain to the sprocket.

Step 15: Remove the master link (don't lose those two tiny clamps!), then attach both ends of the new chain together.

Step 16: Check and make sure you're dead on and that you didn't skip a tooth by checking the cam to the crank.

Step 17: Reassemble everything, grab a cold brew, and pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

As you can see, my stretch went from 12-13° to about 1-2°. This is with the old, ORIGINAL aluminum-backed guide rails, which I refuse to change! The stretch on the left cam reads at 0°.
Attached Thumbnails
Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic11.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic12.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic13.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic14.jpg   Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-pic15.jpg  

__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-14-2005, 02:58 AM
Tomguy's Avatar
Vintage Moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: near Scranton, PA
Posts: 5,407
Here's a good before and after comparison I did real quick.
Attached Thumbnails
Timing chain replacement: Step-by-step guide with photos!-before-after.jpg  
__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-14-2005, 03:03 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 385
This has made me a lot more confident doing mine

One question though, how did you keep your hands so clean !
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-14-2005, 09:01 AM
Tomguy's Avatar
Vintage Moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: near Scranton, PA
Posts: 5,407
It isnt really a dirty job - the worst part was the removal of the fan, really. Besides, if you look at the first pic, you can see I try to keep my engine clean!
__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-14-2005, 10:56 AM
WANT '71 280SEL's Avatar
I'll Go Upside Your Head!
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 3,378
Did you replace the tensioner as well? I thought that - or at least on the newer MB engines - the tensioner has to be "reset" because it is more like a ratchet.

Thanks
David
__________________
_____________________________________________

2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

_____________________________________________
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-14-2005, 04:34 PM
Tomguy's Avatar
Vintage Moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: near Scranton, PA
Posts: 5,407
I replaced the tensioner rail, but the tensioner itself is still the same old one. It went from being nearly fully extended to nearly bottoming out, with the chain replacement. It has plenty of pressure so I'm assuming it's fine as-is, but I do have a spare I picked up for $1 on dollar parts day if need-be.

__________________
Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:58 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page