Chain Stretch 617 with pictures & questions
 

Check the chain stretch on my 1983 300D. looks like it's about 13.5 ATDC. Then I took off the cam sprocket to see if there's an offset woodruff key.

Questions, I think I measured correctly, but another set of eyes is appreciated.

Should I put in a 4 degree offset key?

Also looks like I need to remove cam gear to see if it's already offset.

Did you repeat this procedure several times and get the same number?

If so then yes you would need the 4 deg offset key. I just did this same thing last night and my junk yard motor came up at 9 deg atdc every time .... i even relashed the valve and then removed the lash and repositioned the dial indicator cause i couldn't believe it.

Before others sign off on the results..
can you post a description of the EXACT and TOTAL procedure you used to find those results ?
Isn't there a number which must be factored in after all the measurements have been taken? IF yes, what is it...and does it need to be added or subtracted ?

Wouldn't that 0.001" indicator need to be converted to degrees?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^LOL!

you laughing at my dirty engine?:D

Procedure:

1. Remove valve cover after disconnecting throttle linkages etc.
2. point the number 2 cam lobe in the upright position.
3. Position dial indicator vertically on the valve retainer so that there is amble range going DOWN.
4. Turn engine via Crank socket (27mm) with ratchet (really easy if down slowly.
5. keep turning the crank until indicator moves 80/1000's
6. Clean off timing mark
7. take reading.
8. Verify # 05 cam
9. Check reading against specs (9 for a new 11 of 20KM)

So is my 13.5 acceptable or should I offset the key? (I only plan on driving this car this summer.

Pls provide a good pic of the full dial on your gauge.

At 13.5 degrees that thing would be running like crap, or would have snapped the chain.....

Why would it have snapped the chain?
4.5 degrees is not bad a reading is it? certainly it's off, but not terrible...:confused:

I'm confused. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!

You missed step #3 in this Thread:
http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/OM617TimingChainStretch

Also, you didn't give enough information on your engine to determine if you need an offset key. So, which of the engines below is yours?
I'll take a quess and say it's the last one so take what you got on the reading and subtract 11 and you get 2-3 degrees. So No I would not recommend changing anything.

Of course you need to do it again following the right procedure. Do it twice to make sure and check the cam sprocket alignment just for giggles.

Danny

OOPs my bad, I did remove the valve lash,,, will edit post



2a Remove Valve Lash.


I adjusted the valves, boy were they sloppy, but the still had issues at idle, so I pulled out the old "pop" tester and the injectores popped at various readings. and the spray pattern was bad, so I took 5 injectors from my last WVO vehicle and installed them, what a difference in the idle. much smoother and better acceleration.

Your 13.5 reading is 2.5 degrees late. I wouldn't bother with a Woodruff key..........too small to worry about.