OK, the euphoria has phaded. (My calvin has been hobbled.) That last photo of a benched head with the spring tool looks like the entire overhead cam has to be removed. (Or do I entrust a MB master mechanic with the tool to romance the spring, remove the old valve stem seal and install dealer seal(s)).

What is the recommended best way to proceed? Should I consider doing just one seal? Are we (as a forum) recommending investing in refurbing #14 heads with 289k? (Most of us are runnig #14s - and lots of us are running them hard.) Are there other considerations or pitfalls to be aware of? Any ballpark estimate of the cost/hrs for these repairs?

By the way, this forum and you guys are great. Sixto, thanks so much for getting me to this point in the diagnosis so fast. (gsrx, thanks for taking those photos. They hit me with the strength of the Sunday comix, back in the daily days.) Looking back to my first post this morning, I'd assumed the engine was toast! Now, with a 'rita under my belt, the toast tastes like buttered lobster.