Well, progress! Sort of at least. Still couldn't get the cam shaft seal in so I went back in with the dental pick and out popped a cuped washer! Is the cuped washer part of the old seal or does it belong in there prior to installing the new seal? I can't tell since the old seal totally disintergrated when I attempted to remove it. My Haynes manual doen't mention it and I can't tell from the picture. The new seals were made by Elring if that is any help. By the way, this is a B 230 turbo in an '87 with 180,000 miles.

The crank shaft gear still will not come off. I continued to soak it periodically today with PB Blaster and tapping it using a piece of wood and small hammer as Steve suggested. If it won't come off tomorrow I guess I will have to resort to a puller. Hate to do that but if the rest of the seals are in the same condition as the cam shaft seal then I really believe I need to replace all three.

I guess it's a trip to the local dealer tomorrow since I ruined the seal for the cam shaft. I really don't see anyway to get the new seal in with the cuped washer in place but you never know until you ask the experts! I propably will also pick up the backing plate for the crank shaft gear at the same time. Hopefully, it I can buy just the backing plate.

Thanks again for your suggestions, encouragement and support! I really think the brickboard is probably better than any psychiatrist.