The chain guide is wonderful, but not absolutely necessary.

If you have a helper, it's just like the chain on a W123. Without a helper, get a large bag of cable ties and keep both ends of the chain on the cam sproket at all times (else you will have some injection pump timing problems after you drop both ends.... like I did on the 220D). You DO NOT want to have to remove the IP on the 603, requires more special tools and CANNOT be done without them.

I use the new link to draw the chain through -- press the outer plate on, but don't crip, then pry the plate back off to remove the old chain. There is no sidways force on the chain while rolling it in.

You will probably need to reset the injeciton timing with the new chain, although it may be just right if it's not been adjusted to compensate for chain wear.

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!