Just read through the thread again and realized your problem.

"I decided not to test-it and worry too much about. went by what the manual said, and what the people were recomending. put everything back together, and started it ....i did not try to check it after that and it has been running ok since then...i would imagine that the for the dowels to align properly, the TDC mark will be in the center of the circle on the TDC locater and not at the pointer where is should be......(you remember this whole debate, i am sure)".

You should never take this approach with auto mechanics....especially Mercedes. Everything should always go together very precisely. And the methods of checking timing/stretch have been developed for a reason.

Even a head that had been resurfaced 3-4 times wouldnt show that much variation in cam timing (relative to each other).

I recommend a tear-down and re-time..