I bought a 1985 300td not running. When turned over the cam does'nt turn. I assume the timing chain is broke.Is this a DIY project or should I look for a used running engine.

The answer usually depends on how and when it broke. In the worst scenario, a piston hit a valve and damaged both the valve and the piston.

In the best case scenario, the piston hit the valve and broke the cam towers leaving both valve and piston without serious damage.

You could take a flier and install a new chain and see if the engine and valvetrain will rotate............and then attempt to start it. The cam towers need to be checked for fractures prior to the attempt, and replaced, if necessary.

In this case, the best case scenario is not that great either.

Brian has it right though.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The first three cam towers are broke. Can I do a compresssion check on the engine to see if the valves are bent?

remove the cam remenants and look at all valvespring height, if one or more are lower than the others valves are likely bent, i would crank the engine as little as possible to avoid further damage

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1967 250 S
1967 280SE
1968 250S
1971 280 SE
1973 220
1974 280 S
1975 450 SEL
1976 220 D
1979 300SD
1983 300 SD
1985 230 TE euro
1986 280SL
1986 500 SEL euro
1986 190E 2.3
1990 300 SE
2003 C230 K
2004 C230 K
1987 560SEL
1987 300SDL now in canada
2005 C230
1998 C43 AMG Sold to DON
1993 190E 2.6
300TD Former daily driver Totaled
current:
R320 CDI
Ram 2500 Cummins

when my chain came apart, it broke the first 2 cam towers, tweeked the last rocker arm like a pretzel. when I had my mechanic look at the head, he said most of of the valves were bent.
When Metric Motors tore down the engine, they said the head was cracked also.
with the high milage, decided just to replace.

Charlie ☺

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Start looking for a used engine also to cover all bases. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Make up an adaptor for the glow plug hole or borrow a compression test fitting. Make sure all the valves are up even if you have to pull some rockers. Add air pressure to each cylinder in turn .
Do not even trouble to put each piston at tdc initially. Some will roll down to bdc perhaps with enough pressure. See if the air is coming out big time on any cylinder. If all cylinders hold air reasonably then get a used cam and towers plus the rockers from a junk engine or perhaps someone on site.
Remember when rockers are used with a cam they have to go back on the same lobes.
You could not get a good compression check right now in my opinion as the cylinders that the valves where not working on might defeat the effort enough to mislead. If you have bent over enough to have horseshoes installed at one time or another you might, just might be lucky.
It also goes without saying to check the front of the engine for damage when the chain let go.

If by 300TD you mean wagon, not "turbo diesel", then it has a different head than the sedans, you need one with the hydraulic pump for the sls.

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.