Thanks again for all the explanations!! They really helped alot.

Well, I did the valve adjustment this afternoon & got my brother to help out. That made it MUCH easier!!! 5 or 6 of the valves were out of adjustment, all of them were tight I think. It started up easily after I got everything back together & it seems like it smokes less too. I probably won't be able to leave it outside overnight untli Friday night to see if it will start in the morning. I'll post the results when I do.
I wasn't able to check the timing chain stretch because I don't have a dial indicator yet. I did find one weird thing though, a bolt holding a timing chain guide, the one in the center right above where the valve cover sits, was loose. It had come out as far as the cover would let it! It still seemed to be holding the guide in, but probably not very well! It had a cylinder over it to space it. Anyhow, I tightened it back down, hopefully no damage was done.

Thanks again for everyone's help!

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Michael Roth

1982 300TDT Wagon
1982 240D Euro!, 4spd manual-Parts car now, dead engine
88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer-fixing up for offroading
1989 Ford F150 (rust bucket) For Sale!
1953 Dodge B-4F, 1 1/2 ton Stake Bed (new restoration project)