John1,

Are you familiar with MB's? The reason why I'm asking is there are particulars with MB V=8's which need to be kept up or they get expensive.

I'm not sure your year, hence the engine M117? Anyhoo, besides keeping the engine oil changed regularly- you need to check timing chain stretch !! Also if the oil rail retainers in the heads tend to go south with age and the results are damage to the camshafts.
On V8's it is very common to replace all the guide rails (which you can get out through the top) and chains at about your mileage. The guide rails are plastic and if a stretched chain pops the old plastic on start up- they can break lodging a piece in a sprocket and breaking the chain. I've heard recommendations of pulling the valve covers every 60,000 miles to replace plastic clips, check stretch and inspect the camshaft.

Sorry to hear about your sister.

Sincerely,

Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E