603 engine. Can I gauge slide wear without taking the banana slide off? Can I get the banana slide off with the head still on? does the slide have a groove at all when new?
I can measure the thickness of the guide material and the width of the chain so I can see how far into the plastic material the chain is riding, but I don't know where I am starting from. Did the chain wear the groove or was it there when new and just deeper now?
Also , if I make a tool to measure TDC (for setting the pointer on the timing case) is anyone interested in renting it?
Thanks, Andy

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andy t
'78 300d
'95 volvo 850, wagon
'86 300sdl - engine out, maybe I'll have it rolling by June

whole bunch o' bicycles

You can't get a proper reading of tensioner guide rail wear with the head in place.

To replace the tensioner guide rail the front cover has to come off but not the head. At least I think not the head...

A new guide rail has no grooves.

I'd probably rent the tool for the heck of it.

Sixto
93 300SD

OK, no groove. Now I know where I am starting from, and I can measure how much this one has worn.
TDC tool should be fairly easy to make on a lathe. I will post later about how easy ( or not ) it is to use.

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andy t
'78 300d
'95 volvo 850, wagon
'86 300sdl - engine out, maybe I'll have it rolling by June

whole bunch o' bicycles

If you're looking down from the head you will only see the trailing end of where the chain contacts the rail. You won't see the area of greast chain defelection which is deeper in the timing chain cavity.

Sixto
93 300SD

I forgot to mention that the timing cover is off. This changes things considerably I think.

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andy t
'78 300d
'95 volvo 850, wagon
'86 300sdl - engine out, maybe I'll have it rolling by June

whole bunch o' bicycles

Front cover is off? Change the rail while you have access! Unless you plan to have it off again ever.

Sixto
93 300SD