Job successfully completed. I pulled the spark plugs and turned the exhaust cam counterclockwise using the flats on the backside of the sprocket just enough to remove the slack in the chain between the camshafts. The exhaust cam stayed in postion without my doing anything to the newly installed tensioner. The intake cam never moved. I then turned the engine over by hand several revolutions from the crankshaft bolt and the chain snugged up even further. I lined up the cams and checked for TDC, which looked good. Ran perfectly when started.

Thanks to everybody for the advice. I was admittedly overly cautious because of the damage potential from a mistake.

Thanks again!

__________________
Jim Herold--Current: 1987 190E 16V, 1999 ML 430--Past: 1971 280 SL, 1972 250