There is a thrust washer behind the cam sprocket and a line on the front cam tower. Mark is on the driver's side, upper part.

For chain stretch, it is sufficient to carefully line these up by rotating engine in normal direction of operation using the crank pulley bolt (NOT the cam bolt, please!) then reading the timing marks at the crank pulley.

Anything greater than 8 degrees, replace chain.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!