MB hydraulic tappet replacement

["Steve Evans" <sevans@radstone.co.uk>]

I know that this is an operation that Phil has performed at least once...

I have three questions relating to tappet replacement on an '88 MB engine.

1.
Where is a good source of said components and are non-Audi tappets (if available)worth fitting?

2.
As the distributor is retained with a shear bolt it is not trivial to remove. It looks as if the camshaft drives the distributor from above - with the position of the distributor marked at TDC is it possible to lift the camshaft out without disturbing the distributor?

3.
Is it necessary to remove the cambelt cover backplate ( and PAS pump :( ) in order to replace the camshaft oil seal?

Regards,

Steve

Steve Evans                       Radstone Technology Plc.
Principal Design Engineer         Water Lane,
PowerPC Group                     Towcester,
Tel: +44 (0) 1327 359444          Northants,
Fax: +44 (0) 1327 358113          NN12 6JN
Email: sevans@radstone.co.uk      ENGLAND