I seem to come up with some strange ones from time to time…

I am putting the new head on my engine, and I need to get the camshaft timing figured out. While I have this engine torn apart, it seems like a good idea to get the cam timing spot-on instead of relying on the relatively crude method of lining up the timing marks on the cam tower & thrust washer.

My car has a camshaft that is not listed in either the service CD or in the Haynes manual.

It is stamped with “code #11”. There are specifications listed for cam numbers 00, 05, & 08, but nothing for 11.

In addition to the timing specifications, does anyone know what application this cam is specifically for? The car is a 1984 300D. The engine has not been replaced; it is a California version – perhaps that is the reason for the odd cam. Maybe this is the camshaft for the 1985 (higher output) engines? I don’t know…

I hope that someone enlighten me with some information on this… Thanks in advance!


RTH
(Murphy is my roommate, and he doesn’t even pay any rent)

Actually the factory method is pretty darn accurate (lining up the marks). There is no adjustment. The only thing that can make it "wrong" is a stretched timing chain. If you're that concerned, install a new chain, line up the marks, and relax.

The OM603 engine manual has cam timing specs (read "X"mm valve movement at "X" degrees B/ATDC), but then it says if it's off to replace the timing chain or whatever else is broken. The only real adjustment is the I/P pump timing, which Dr. Booth says can be 2-3 degrees off in either direction and still allow the car to run quite well.

There was only one cam listed for the 1984 (Federal or CA), and it was superceded by a different p/n:

617-051-05-01 was the original cam, it was superceded by 617-051-11-01. They're about $200-$250 new. From what I can tell from the EPC, the same cam was used in all OM617 turbos (123.133) from 82-85.

HTH,

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Dave
Boise, ID
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