Steve makes a good point
 

My old rails were so brittle that they were almost like glass. Fresh rails would take a lot more stress and slapping around and would be safer in the event of slack tensioner or reduced oil pressure.

As for being up that time of day, my guess is Steve was already at work and i was icing a shoulder from my morning therapy. Seeing Jesse James working in the Monster Garage just after his shoulder surgery gave me too much license to do the same!! Paying for it this week.

Does anyone have any experience with cutting part of the new upper rail away to prevent its later breakage? I've seen others on a listserv talk about cutting away part of the upper rail to prevent it from breaking off.

Just curious, as I had my 87 420SEL's chain, rails, and tensioner changed within 3 hours of purchase (had to drive her to my home mechanic)...so, I am huge advocate of this maintenance. And, yes, at 115k miles, my upper chain rails were brown and brittle.

Mercedes Repair/Shop manuals
 

Hi tower,

This person seem to carry just about all the shop/repair manuals
for all makes of Mercedes and other cars. However, I dont know how extensive and/or good they are. Just go to the following item on Ebay and ask him through an email whether he carries your W140 manual.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34227&item=2450308772

Good luck.

i think if you look at what he is selling they are copied CD's. he notes in the last line of the ad that the material is from a 3rd party.

Does this apply to the M119 engine?

I wasn't planning on touching the timing chain or anything having to do with it on my car. If I can do this repair and it is easy and cheap then I will do it.

No that recommendation is for the 116/117 engine.

I don't have a recommendation on 119 engines.