Nightmare on Broadway III '82 MB 300SD Turbo

[KJG52]

I have read over 30 hours of posts in the past two weeks trying to get enough aggregate knowledge to make sure I do the work on my car properly. The amount of information on this board and its links are fantastic and I have had a lot of help from members and for that I thank you. Now that I have the new head (with all new head bolts) torqued properly, had to retorque because of misprint in a Chilton's manual that is now in the trash can , I can't gat the @#$$%&&**!!! cam timing to coincide with TDC on the engine!!!! Also, I am not sure if the crank is at TDC because I am not sure if the peg sticking up out of the vernier scale on the crankshaft is TDC or the scribed mark "T" right next to it. I have had different people tell me different things about this, and one guy told me that you can't be out of synch even though I know that you have to turn the crank twice to get the #1 cam at 90* when the engine is supposedly at TDC. When I have the engine on the peg mark, and the cam is at approx. 90* the woodruff key v-notch is not lining up with the cam timing mark on the number one cylinder cam shaft support tower, by about half a tooth on the timing chain, is this critical or am I being too crazy because this is my first head replacement on a diesel, this is making me want to buy a single incident fire insurance policy for this car!!! Unfortunately this is now my only transportation (ex-wives, laid off, child support etc... yeah, yeah, boo-hoo LOL,LOL) and I have to get it repaired properly and I don't have the luxury of sending it to a shop. Sorry to sound so crazy... I have gotten great help and advice on this board, I hope someone can help me with this one...

[KJG52]

I have read about drip timing, non-starting, etc..., Still can't find simple answer, where is TDC on the OM 617 and if the cam notch doesn't line up exactly with the timing mark on the cam support tower, what is acceptable slack?

[Bajaman]

What is the status of the timing chain? Is it new? If it is old, then perhaps the reason you can't get the timing lined up is because of timing chain stretch. If you search you will find many threads on stretch. Also, a lot of controversy over when the chain should be replaced vs an offset woodruff key. I seem to recall that one tooth is about 18* if you search you will find the exact number. So line up the cam mark and figure out how many degrees you are off. If it is a reasonable amount <10* then it is likely due to chain stretch.
bb

[KJG52]

After talking with a friend , found TDC mark on the crank, after finding TDC on crank, adjusted cam shaft gear and got the cam shaft in proper position. After tensioning the chain, found woodruff key notch and timing mark on No 1 cam tower within tolerances according to the head manufacturer. I believe that I'll have the car back together tomorrow-!!!