I just spent the last two evenings replacing the intake/exhaust manifold gasket on SWMBO's 300D. Getting the turbo, and everything associated with it, off of one of these cars is not an easy task but isn't nearly as hard as it COULD be. A liberal dose of Rust-Buster™, Kroil™ penetrating oil and a little bit of patience was all it took to loosen fastners that had held the exhaust system together for 20+ years. I've pulled similar service on far, far newer vehicles where studs broke off in the head and nuts were stripped out doing this same thing. Every major fastner on her Benz was either stainless or some sort of bronze that reisists the effects of heat.

I remain awesomated by the diesel W123 but not the FSM that "supports" it. In this instance, the manual reads like a bad joke. My favorite was the phrase "...remove the intake and exhaust manifolds as a unit." Um yeah, right.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.