In a message dated 11/9/2005 6:15:19 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Contemplaing doing timing chain overdue at 270K miles. I have been doing some research. It appears a chain buddy;, ie standby helper is required. Can this job be done totally solo? I have not met any of my neighbors or friends/wifes/kids or enemies who gives a rats a-- for my 77 300D or would be worthy or interested in helping. Tom, I have done 3 chains solo, and never dropped a link. The most recent was the easiest, due to a tip from one of the listers. I tied the end of a long bungee cord overhead and used that to take up the old chain. You tie it offset from center of the car, and not too high, so that the new chain always is pulled over the cam gear. My basket ball pole was handy and I used that. This frees up you to turn the crank and watch the new chain feed in. Figure on moving the bungee hook in the chain about 4 times so you don't have to stretch it too tight. Two caveats. You MUST relieve cranking pressure by pulling the glow plugs (my choice) or the injectors. The new chain goes in so much easier, and there is no chance of an accidental power stroke. Before you break the chain, you should always tie the chain ends to the cam gear so that if anything goes wrong you still have your timing. Also make sure that the service link picks up all the link plates on both chains or one will fold back and the result will block the chain from clearing the crank gear as clearance is very tight there. Once you have the new chain attached to the old chain, and tension on the old chain with the bungee, you can cut the ties. Same deal when you are done and ready to splice the chain--tie those ends down! Do not trust your grip in this oily environment! On many models you must remove the chain tensioner, because they have a stepping mechanism in them that takes up the slack as the chain wears. You cannot push this kind back. I like this kind the best because they do not rattle when the engine is first started. Many install a new tensioner with any new chain job. It is certain that you will see heavy spring wear on your old one, should you take the piston out to reload it Good luck, you can do this! Jim Friesen Phoenix AZ 79 300SD, 261 K miles 98 ML 320, 138 K miles
