I have one question Tom, why do you have to pull the eng and trans together?? I just replaced the engine in my 300D without pulling the trans as well. Seems like a lot of extra work you don't have to do....just a thought.

Jim,

At this point in time, you next move probably should be to pull the head to see what the pistons look like, I've seen many timing chains break, with valves wide open when the piston came up and not do any serious damage to the piston. As these were all mostly gas engines, the pistons on diesel engines are two or three times thicker on the top. I would think that they should be able to absorb an impact like that, time will tell I guess....