I used the A-B light tool. When I had the head off, I turned the engine over several times with the crankshaft looking in the holes and measuring piston clearance. My timing was off a little upon re-assembly.

You can just replace the gasket without removing the cam with a long socket, but if I went to the trouble to take the head off I would remove the camshaft and have the head gone over. How many miles are on your car?

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1995 S-350
370K + SOLD
1952 220B Cabriolet
39K kilometers + SOLD
1998 E300D
310K +
2012 E350 BlueTec
120K