And just thought I would brag about it.
Bent my own wrenches ($6.18) and had a buddy weld some flat stock on them for handles. I didn't have the appropriate size wrench to fit anything to turn the engine, so it was adjust the valve, put the car in neutral and roll it backwards, put it in gear and tug it forward holding the frame around the radiator until the cam lobe lined up, adjust the valve, put it in neutral and roll it backwards, repeat, repeat, repeat. It was evident the valves had not been adjusted in some time, as the feeler gauges would not fit in any of the spaces, far too tight. Car is running GREAT now, and I feel comfortable turning down the throttle idle all the way once the engine is warm, whereas beforehand it idled very rough. Not perfect yet, think I need to clean the injectors and want to replace the glowpugs before it gets cold, but just wanted to share the feeling of pride with doing something and having the right outcome. Thanks to this site and the input from everyone here. Alex

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"Frau Blue Car" 1980 240D think Frau Bluker, cue the horses, formerly known as "China" from JimmyL
"Gunther" 1982 300D.....Turbo!! A/C!! Sunroof!!
"Fraulein" 1975 240D----Donated to NPR

Good for you, Alex. That is very satisfying to do something new and to do it successfully.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I cannot WAIT to be able to rotate the engine in the same manner as you do...
I personally use a starter trigger to rotate the motor. but OH to have a manual MB diesel... bliss!

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Ahhhh..nothing like the old four banger manual.

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'81 240D 4-Speed 328K (Daily Driver)
'01 Cadillac SLS 135k (currently up for sale)

Ditto. But is even more satisfying to have Bgkast do it for you for free!

Just kidding!

The thing that strikes me as being so odd about the valves is that they get TIGHTER rather than looser. Since parts wear and tolerances increase, how is it that the clearances on the MB diesel valves get tighter? I don't get it.....

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1984 300 Coupe TurboDiesel
Silver blue paint over navy blue interior
2nd owner & 2nd engine in an otherwise
99% original unmolested car
~210k miles on the clock

1986 Ford F250 4x4 Supercab
Charcoal & blue two tone paint over burgundy interior
Banks turbo, DRW, ZF-5 & SMF conversion
152k on the clock - actual mileage unknown

Seats wear back a little with time and any wear on the rocker and cam or valve stem is going to be reflected as tighter valve clearances.

On earlier mercedes gas engines not to adjust the valves regularily was a burnt exhaust valve far too often. Meaning off with the head. Valve train work was far cheaper then though. Once burnt so to speak you adjusted your clearances on a regular basis.

A large part of the problem was the adjusters did not have a tight enough interference fit and there were no locknuts. This problem was addressed sometime in the late sixties or early seventies. They substantually increased the interference fit of the adjusters. The 616/617 is not likely to suffer from wandering adjusters.

One might almost say this particular problem surfaced when overhead cams became available on some cars. Non overhead cam engines usually increased the clearance with time.

I throw in a free valve cover gasket too.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

...and he does EXCELLENT work and is a good teacher as well.

And for the record, I did offer to pay for that valve cover gasket - but he was such a nice guy he refused

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1984 300 Coupe TurboDiesel
Silver blue paint over navy blue interior
2nd owner & 2nd engine in an otherwise
99% original unmolested car
~210k miles on the clock

1986 Ford F250 4x4 Supercab
Charcoal & blue two tone paint over burgundy interior
Banks turbo, DRW, ZF-5 & SMF conversion
152k on the clock - actual mileage unknown

Any pics of the bent wrenches ? - Thanks

Edit - I found it -

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=180280&highlight=valve+wrench