I looked this morning on a US information and the 52 and 53 cams are listed for 117.981,2,3, and 4 motors. Interesting that the european cars had 56 and 57 cams in them in 117 motors.

The cam won't last long at all, if you don't replace the rocker arm which is simple to do and CHEAP. The rocker failed first. Also check out the oil feed pipe. Be sure it isn't plugged (watch oil flow when cranking with valve cover off - catch the oil with rags - disable ignition) and besure it is firmly mounted to the cam bearings.

The problem with leaving it the way it is, depends on whether you have oil and how soon you wish to dump the problem onto someone else. MB would say replace it all. I would say replace the rocker and re- evaluate the situation in a year. Leaving it will continue to grind metal into the oil system BTW.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician