Tinker,

Thanks for the advice for the seal-i'll go ahead and order one today. Do I need the special tools from MB?

I was taking the exhaust cam off to put the new shims in. I lost two washers from the front bearing cap, and only found one! I can only assume the other fell down into the timing-chain box. The oil pan is off (but not out) enough to check inside-its not down that far. All the work is a huge pita (you know this, i've been following your thread when you re-re'd the tensioner/rails), but I just can't take a chance on destroying the head.


dan

ps. Any advice for the power steering/AC bracket? Do you have to fully remove the power steering pump, or can you leave the fluid/hoses and push it off to the side enough to access the bracket bolts?