I'm replacing the cylider head and timing chain guide rails on a '92 190 2.6; no major problems except identifying Top Dead Center -- markings aren't too clear, although there is a hole that might be the marker. I posted a couple pics on Ofoto if you want to take a look. Thanks for your help.

http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=rat9q07.5irdgwqb&x=0&y=26wjnb

Is that the only mark on the cam??

Thanks for the reply, Ozzy. That's the only mark I see. Do most 190 cams have another, or a different kind?

The reason I ask, is looking at the WIS info, mark seems to be just behind cam gear. But it does say that it can either be a small nick or a small hole in cam, I'm guessing you have the small hole.
Therefore, you have it spot on.

Should have the crank pulley lined up to the mark there and then the cam gear should have a dot or mark in it. My M102 has a dot on the cam gear for TDC!

__________________
~Jamie
_________________
2003 Pewter C230K SC C1, C4, C5, C7, heated seats, CD Changer, and 6 Speed. ContiExtremes on the C7's.

1986 190E 2.3 Black, Auto, Mods to come soon.....

I have seen a top dead center whistle in the Preformance Mercedes catalog.
You screw it in the spark plug hole and rotate crank, when the whistling stops on the compression cycle you have reached TDC

Or you can be cheap like me and put your finger over the spark plug hole.

So you must be long fingers Dan! The plugs are recessed in my head and require a long reach plug socket to take them out.

A long, properly shaped coat hanger or welding rod inserted into the cylinder through the plug opening will let you know when you are at TDC. Speed shops have, or can order, a TDC stop which screws into the plug hole much like a spark plug. The center is tapped and an adjustment bolt with a rounded tip is used to block the piston. When you back it out to where the piston will clear you then turn in intil it just barely stops the piston at TDC.

In years past I have made one by gutting a spark plug, tapping it and modifying a bolt to accomplish the same thing.

Tim