I opened up my new-to-me 84 300D for the first time this past weekend for a valve adjustment. I found this gash in the oil rail. (That's what it's called, right?)

How concerned should I be? It looks replaceable if I can find one from an old engine. I wonder how that happened in the first place.

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Is it leaking there?
Check oil @ every fuel fill-up?
Just keep an eye on it.

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"I applaud your elaborate system of denial"

Chisel or file got to it or some other cutter that is tapered. Who knows way.

There is a couple of ways it could be repaired if the cam lobe is not right under it.

It could be filled in with silver bearing solder. Home depot has some the melts around 760 degrees F.
you could spill the side of a copper tube and spread it wide enough to slip over the tubing. Rough up the inside of it and rough up the steel tube and degrease both with brake cleaner.
Coat the inside of the copper with slow curing JB Weld (because it can take the heat) and coat the stee tube especially filling the slot/hole. Put the copper tube solid side over the hole and crip the tube around the steel tube. Use some small worm gear hose clamps and make sure ones goes over the slot/hole and use that to further squeeze the copper tube and depending on how long the copper tube is you could use clamps on each side of the first one.

Let that cure for the max time. If the clamps interfere with anything remove them. Otherwise, you can leave them on if you want to.

In a pinch you could do the same as the above but with a rubber hose (transmission cooler hose). Split the hose, put it over the steel tubing and orient a hose clamp so it clamps over the hole/cut in the steel tubing and tighten the clamp. That works if the clamp does not interfere with anything.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

It matters, replace it with a new one or a used one. If used be certain it is clean inside and every port is open. The cover/clamp method will work temporarily.

Good luck!!!

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Thanks for weighing in all. I found someone with a used replacement rail I can use.

Check that every hole on the replacement is completely open. If a cam lobe/rocker arm sliding surface starves for oil it will wipe the cam lobe in short order. May be worth installing it, put the valve cover on loosely and crank the engine with the fuel shutoff lever pressed then pull the cover to confirm oiling on all lobes.

Good luck!!!

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

This oil rail is one of a few items on the list for my visit to Pierre Hedary's shop next week. I trust that they know what they're doing, but I'll confirm they're doing this check just to be sure.