Nice cars Jim B! Research shows that it is a USA version. Kind of a bummer as i hear the Euro has more HP. With that said, it still hauls butt! I will be opening up the valve covers to asses the timing chain guide rails this weekend. How hard is a timing chain to do? Is there a write up somewhere? I have done timing chains on 617's and 616,s before so i will not hesitate to do it. I will have to say that i really am loving this car. I am very glad i picked it up1

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

There are a couple of timing chain replacement faq's out there, and it's not too hard, as long as you take your time, and have 3-4 hands!

The guide replacement has been documented as well.
The guides aren't all that bad either, but they do require removing the power steering pump and bracket on the drivers side, and the alternator and bracket on the passenger side, just to get to the front of the heads.

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-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...