Had a good talk with my long time MB machinist yesterday, he's going to look at the head for me. He is 82 years old and very retired but still does limited work for good customers. He used to be the guy for Hollywood MB, (long gone dealer that was a rare factory owned store), did hundreds of heads for them. He graduated from Hollywood High School in 1960 and until recently lived in the house he grew up in a short walk from his shop! Looks like he's in ZZ Top...what a character.
I've built a LOT of engines and have a long relationship with the guy. Anyhow, he told me to do some simple at home tests to the head and block and I'm about 95% sure that all I have is a burned valve or two, most likely from improper valve adjustment. When I checked them, they were all super tight, as in no clearance. Someone did not know what they were doing and wrecked the guy's car.
Everyone likes to say on the internet that these cars, "run forever!" and, "just getting broken in @ 250k miles," but that's only true with proper maintenance, which almost no one does once they get old and fall into the hands of dumb hippies. I have a collection of blown MB diesel engines sitting out in the desert that could be used to to anchor a very large barge.
It is true that the engines, as well as the rest of the cars, are made with amazing steel and can last an incredibly long time with proper maintenance, which includes regular valve adjustments, correct oil and filters changed on time.
I'll update the thread when I know more in the coming days!
