[W126 Coupe] Camshaft replacement

[stefansj at canisius.edu]

I recently replaced my left camshaft and it was not a very hard job at all ( I did 
have the Mercedes Engine manual however). Unless your rocker arms have signs 
of wear I wouldn't necessarily replace all of them, depending on the mileage of 
the engine and prior maintance. You definitely need a cam oiler kit (no more 
than $3-4), I also replaced the cam oiler pipeline because that tends to clog up. 
Thats about $50. 1500 euro is very high compared to what my total was, I paid 
350 for a OEM cam, $60 for the pipeline, $25 rocker, and $4 oiler kit. Goodluck! 
Jas 

---- Original message ----

>Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:07:44 +0200

>From: "Andrew Sporner" <asporner at googlemail.com>  

>Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Camshaft replacement  

>To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>

>

>I see you took magic in the spirit intended ;-)

>

>I had a price here of EUR 1500 to do this and was advised not

>to do it on account of the value of the car itself.

>

>I am rather torn on this---but if I figure I do anything to the motor

>it is something

>that can be salvaged into another car later if the body is too far gone.

>

>Ideas?

>

>

>Andy

>

>On 6/24/08, Pete Williams <hwilliamsjr2 at cox.net> wrote:

>> Andy,

>> Cam timing marks are already there. There is a lot more "magic" involved. At

>> least two special tools, spring compressor and offset hex head wrench. 

Don't

>> try to just get by. There is the danger of the threads coming out with the

>> bolts. Half of the bolts go into the head, half are head bolts entering the

>> block at approximately 1-1/2 degrees off perpendicular. Get all new 

rockers.

>> You'll need at least an oiler kit, very inexpensive. It'll be a good time

>> for a timing chain and tensioner if they haven't been replaced in recent

>> memory. If you do end up with tread problems, then you'll have to be a

>> magician to master all of the "magic" involved. Make sure no washers, bolts,

>> master links, or loose timing chain ends fall into the engine where the

>> timing chains enter. Remove the plugs for easy engine rotation. In case the

>> chain jumps on the other head, it's best to remove all of the rockers. If

>> you do decide to do it yourself, there are a lot more "tricks" involved but

>> there are a lot of magicians on this forum to help you. It's all possible

>> and can be very rewarding, but there can be a lot of frustration too.

>> Good luck,

>> Pete Williams

>> 1972 350SL 4.5

>> 1983 500 SEC AMG

>> 1984 500 SEL (parts)

>> MBCA, Central Oklahoma Section

>>

>> -----Original Message-----

>> From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-

bounces at mbcoupes.com]

>> On Behalf Of Andrew Sporner

>> Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 2:54 AM

>> To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists

>> Subject: [W126 Coupe] Camshaft replacement

>>

>> I am told that the right camshaft needs to be eventually replaced

>> (makes a clacking sound when the motor is cold and their are grooves

>> on one of the cams)  They tell me that the car can go up to 50K Kilometers

>> more without problems -- or die next week.

>>

>> Can anybody suggest the level of difficulty.  I am not foreign to working

>> on cars (rebuilt the motor on my 1976 Ford mustang -- though admittedly

>> I sent the top-head away to get remachined).

>>

>> I suppose you just have to mark the gears on the timing chain and just

>> replace?  Or is there more magic involved?

>>

>> Andy

>> The MB Coupes Website!

>> W126 SEC Mailing List

>> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

>>

>>

>> The MB Coupes Website!

>> W126 SEC Mailing List

>> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

>>

>The MB Coupes Website!

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>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.