I decided to measure the cam timing the shop manual way. I set the #1 and #6 valve to zero cleareance and set up my dial indicator. When the #1 intake began compressing and moved 2mm vertically the crankshaft recorded 2° ATDC. For the same procedure on the #6 intake valve I read 3° ATDC. These seem like very reasonable numbers. I wonder if this prooves that timing the camshaft by ligning up the markings on the cam can not be trusted for evaluating the cam timing and chain stretch. I believe Stevebfl wrote that the cam marks are there only to make sure you didn't skip a tooth, not for timing the camshaft. If I hadn't done the dial indicator thing I may have bought offset keys and made a correction based on incorrect findings.

Could someone tell me what degree it should be for 52/53 cams in a 117.982 engine and if my latest measurements are good enough? Oddlty enough my factory manual does not give this info for the stock engine in my 1972 450SL (I have 52/53 cams in a 117.982 engine).

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1972 450SL
1982 300D Turbo