1986 190E 2.3-16 - Now I have to Reestablish the Timing!

[JimSmith]

I noted this at the end of the torque specification question, but since I could use an answer I am starting another thread.

I had the head on, the cams in, the sprockets on and lined up with the little holes facing each other and in line with the little plate connecting the front of the chain box to the front of the head proper, the chain on with the little "White Out" marks aligned with the same marks on the chain sprockets, al torqued up and ready to put the valve cover on. And then I thought I would turn it over by hand. And I did, but before putting the chain tensioner in, and the chain promptly slipped a few links.

Out came the camshafts, out came the sprockets and we turned it over by hand until a screwdriver resting on the top of the number one cylinder came up, and the white dots on the chain were still skewed. So I concluded the chain actually slipped all the way around. So now I want to find the actual top dead center mark on the balancer attached to the front of the crank so I can be sure I am timing things correctly. This engine is very dirty in the front, and all I can make out on the balancer is the nib sticking out. Anyone familiar with what this lines up with? My plan is to find TDC, then install the cams lined up with the little holes, put the chain tensioner in and call it a day. If I am missing something please pipe up. Thanks, Jim