I bought my first MB last summer, An 83 380sel with 108k miles. I read on this forum all about the timing chain so i pulled it into my garage and pulled the valve covers off. The cam gears are so worn when i touched the chain to see how much slack was in the chain it jumped a couple teeth. I bought a dual chain conversion kit (from peachparts) and a chilton manual (which don't tell you crap). Is there any manual out there that will help me change this over? I've done american cars an VW's but this is my first Benz. I would greatly appreciate any advise on this subject. Thanks, Bart

Look in the archives for timing chain conversion and if not search google. I saw this on the internet like 10 times and some were step-by-step with pictures.

Thanks, but I have been searching for months all over the net (ever since i planed to do this), but i cant find anything. Especially a step by step with pictures. That would be great. Bart

You mean the conversion from a single chain to a double chain????

yes, I have most of the parts and its half torn down. I have a mitchell manual (on cd) and a chiltons manual and they are both useless

Ok.. Well try this link. http://www.cerant.com/380SL/Convert%20Timing%20Chain%20to%20dual.htm

See if Haynes sells a repair manual for the 1983 380SEL.

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Fred Hoelzle

Since the chain jumped some teeth ( I'm not 100% positive it jumped 2 teeth) i am going to have to get the timing marks lined up on the cams wherever they are.

For the cost of the parts, you probably have just purchased a good used 4.2L M116 and swapped it in... not to mention picked up about 50hp and about 30lb-ft of torque.

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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]

Yea, but with my luck it would of had a bad chain in it too. My 380 is in almost perfect shape and i was trying to keep everything original. I'll just keep plugging along. It's just another toy to play with.