If you can get the cam sprocket on the cam with the upper guide out, it becomes a puzzle of making it all fit rather than a question of whether there's slack between the IP and crank.

As I understand, IPs don't like to be spun backwards. I figure with no fuel pressure into the delivery valves, no resistance in the injection lines and very slow backwards rotation of the IP, you can avoid removing the IP to give it a full rotation to some unindexed position that corresponds with #1 TDC.

Sixto
87 300D

Sixto is right--you need to make sure you have all the slack out between the IP and the crank before you do anything. Then if the cam sprocket is very slightly off, don't be afraid to turn the camshaft to get it on the key.

I would check the injection timing after this misadventure.

__________________
1981 300TD 310k miles
1970 280sel 172k miles
1966 230 Fintail 162k miles

"Where are we going? And why am I in this hand basket?"