Yo Dad - the valve cover is off!
 

My son and I are going to check the valve clearances but he Seems to think there's other stuff to check while we're there....Where can I find guidance?????

Timing chain stretch..............

but I haven't done it myself you so I can't be of help explaining that.

That's what he said and all he knew was where the chain was...That's why he's pointing to it....

well its really an issue to know by 150,000 miles...if the car didn't have frequent oil changes in its life it may be due......if it has had frequent changes it would have little wear and you would know this too.

Turn the engine over clockwise (facing the front of the engine) with a 27mm socket on the crank pulley until the match mark on the cam sprocket lines up with the notch in the cam tower. Then look at the timing indicator on the crank pulley and read the chain stretch. You should be less than 5 degrees off TDC.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=107042

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=97743

These 2 links should give you some pretty good information.

Just to sum it up a little the timing is checked at 2mm valve lift on intake #1.

Danny

timing chain stretch
 

DON'T FORGET to take the wrench off of the crank pulley. - th

Hey is that EGR disconnected ....lol!

Nope. Well let me clarify that....I don't know. I've driven the car 12 miles from the place of purchase, removed the liscense plates plates and started to take it apart. I will be doing some testing with and without the EGR once I get the beasty back into reasonable roadworthyness.....

Make sure that a golf T or a ball bearing doesn't get stuck in the vacume line to it.... ;)

No worries...When I get to the point where I can register and drive the thing and then tuinker with the EGR etc. I will be SO excited!!!

My point of that being is the EGR cause the crud buildup in the intake manifold.

Understood and thanks for offering the commnets. I've been driving a VW diesel for a while with a modified CCV filter and mods accomodating the intake clogging concern. With the Benz I intend to return it to a stout baseline as originally designed (a clean slate so to speak)....When I accomplish that I will begin to maintain and modify the car in a manner that suits my interests (currently targeting 2 tank WVO system)

Funny, currently it seems I'm making mods to return the car to "normal"....

Your point about assessing chain stretch as a measure of how the car was previously maintained was also a good one in my view.
Cheers

I am pulling my intake manifold off and cleaning it out and I know is gummed up....I am at that time going to install a block heater which as I don't have a lift is the safest and easiest way for me to do it.

I am still undecided about installing a early 300SD intake and exhause manfold which is pre EGR. Before I go through the trouble to remove 23 years of gummy crud out of it. Point of note is my '79 300SD had a clean intake when I put a block heater in it last year. And that was the last year of a non-EGR equiped 617 Turbodiesel. I plan to do this in a couple weeks after I get the gasket set.

Its also important to know the amount of stretch because a broken timing chain can really ruin a otherwise perfectly good engine....and your disposition when it breaks.

"...........................a broken timing chain can really ruin a otherwise perfectly good engine....and your disposition when it breaks."

eeeeesh. It would make me sad and would quite likely end the expirament which I am currently pursuing.....And that's why I am searching and reading voraciosly and asking so many pesky questions....Thanks again...