Access to the bolts is not easy...I did this when I had the head of for a valve job. I recall that one of bolts sits so close to the chassis that I had to use an allen wrench with the short end ground down to about a half inch. Then to get leverage, I used a quarter inch rachet extension with a socket on the end that just fit the allen wrench...and even at that, I couldnt get the bolt really as tight as it should be.

Another thing, when you pull apart the housing, the gasket will pull apart.....major pita to clean off old gasket....not really that bad, but because of limited access, you need to use a hand held razor blade and just work at it methodically.

Detaching and reattaching the oil cooler lines is no picnic either, due to limited access. Use claw foot open end or flare wrench (little attachments for rachet set).

When I was done, It was one of those jobs that I initially thought would be fairly simple, and in the end I hoped I would never have to do it again.

If I were to do it again, I would combine this with replacement of the oil cooler lines (I have heard catastrophic stories of these lines failing...dump your oil while you are driving 70!), and motor mounts. Since you are going to detach the oil lines, it is a good time to replace, especially if leaking. With the motor mounts off and the engine raised, it is much easier to get the new lines in, and with the motor mounts off, I believe you can jack up the engine and move it a little to the side to provide a few more vital inches of access to the oil filter housing.

A few last things...

After I did the job on my car, I remember hearing that there is either a small port with a replaceable item in the housing, or that should be removed and cleaned out, or something to that effect, an oil return port with a screen or something. I remember being mad that I didn't know about it until after I did the work! Anyone know what this is?

Also, use gasket sealant on both surfaces to ensure no leak. You will never do this again, so why not! After I did the job on my car, the damn thing still leaked!!!

With the oil filter housing off, you might as well put in a new engine shut off valve (mounted on the inj. pump)...otherwise this simple little job is a bit of a pain with the oil filter housing in the way.

Finally, again with the oil filter housing off, I believe you have much better access to the tightening bolts on the injection pump....this might be an opportune time to adjust the start of fuel delivery (engine timing) if its off the mark...to do this you need to loosen and rotate the IP to the proper position.

Good luck,

Mark

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1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)