A buddy of mine bought a 1985 380SE on Ebay. It was bought with the understanding that one of the timing chains were bad. A relatively easy fix. Upon taking the valve covers off, on the drivers side head every rocker was off but 2. And those 2 I could pull out by hand. Is it possible for all valves to be bent at the same time? The towers that hold the cam are tight. I know we need to take the head off, but I'm scared to see what the pistons look like. Could the timing chain make this happen?

Usually an over rev' will make them jump off...although, so does lack/no oil.
Are any of the valve stems sitting low ?

Intakes will bend/break off but the pistons usually hold up if the valves are only bent.


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I think maybe your right on the oil part. The valve stems are compressed. I can take the rockers in and out with little to no resistence. I would think if the valves broke, the spring would be maxed up and I couldn't get the rockers in or out. Hopefully there is a saving grace in that area.

Unfortunately...when a valve head breaks off, it leaves a bent stem in the combustion side holding the stem low.


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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

Also....the first part to sieze with low oil is the cam bearing towers to the cam !


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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

It's ashame your buddy didn't do a little research before buying the car. The statement that one of the timing chains is bad should have been the clue. There is a "double timing chain" in that car but it is connected together as one piece. There really is only one timing chain. Yes. When the timing chain or guide rails fail, the end result is almost 100% catastrophic. Chances are you are in for a major expense and yes, the pistons may have been destroyed as a result.

Sorry to hear it happened

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I really gets fun when they all don't run

84 500SL
99 Jeep XJ
93 Jeep YJ
03 Custom Softail

Sounds like a good time to start looking for another engine. He only paid $200.00 for the car. The body and interior is 95% flawless. I have my eye on a 1988 420SEL with a good engine. Do you think it would fit in the 1985
380SE?

With time, patience and money just about any engine will work, how involved do you want to get? I might suggest removing the Left-Side cylinder head to assess the damage-----if there is piston damage look for a replacement engine. If there is no "significant" damage to the either the pistons or the block locate a good machine shop to recondition the cylinder heads. If the L/S cylinder head is damaged from a valve being wedged into it, drop me an email. I think I have a couple of good used cylinder heads just hanging out in the shed.

I agree, you should at least access the damage before looking at an engine swap. There is always the possibility the damage is isolated to the head. You may be way farther ahead repairing the one in the car before buying one with the potential of having other problems.

__________________
I really gets fun when they all don't run

84 500SL
99 Jeep XJ
93 Jeep YJ
03 Custom Softail

I would guess that the basic block would fit fine, but you would encounter challenges with lots of little things like wiring harness connections, accessory attachments, and ECU compatibility to name a few.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

I am dealing with the exact same issue on my 420, it's cheaper to swap in a new motor with less miles than to fix my current one. Go figure. I'm including two rebuilt heads, new T-chain, as well as other associated parts.

500SEL motors are pretty common (at least around here), and that's essentially what I'm doing with my 420. I'm going to stick in a 560 motor.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Yep that sounds like a text book timing chain failure.

I'd pull the head, maybe you get lucky and the pistons are in good shape. If now time to hunt for a used engine, or rebuild that one.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200