Clamp from a different angle.
In the meantime, does anyone know what this part is (I think it is a vacuum line)
Another image of what I believe is the vacuum line
It’s the tube next to the oil dipstick. It was so brittle that I accidentally broke it when working next to the intake manifold. Some links for possible replacements would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again guys you’ve all been a great help.
p.s. I am just starting out but got the incentive to do this project as I found this https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Mercedes-W124/50-ENGINE-Head_Gasket_Replacement/50-ENGINE-Head_Gasket_Replacement.htm and my buddy knows about cars a lot more than I do.
those are very good instructions . . .
but they don’t tell you the correct way to line up the timing, near as I can tell
I’m going to do you a HUGE favor now
go to startekinfo.com
now click on MB workshop resources
now click on service manual library
now click on model 124 service library
now click on disc 1
now select your model type and model year
now select engine manual
it’s cumbersome to use, but it’s essentially a cut-and-paste of the old paper service manuals
Wow many thanks!! I owe you big time 
Those are commonly used hose clamps found in cars. And they can be really frustrating to work with if all you have is the normal slip joint pliers. “Slip” is the operative word … lol … There is a special tool which makes the job considerably easier. I don’t have a source for that tool however, I wish I did, but your local auto parts store probably can help you find one if the dealership can’t.
To obtain generic replacement hoses , I just take the old one to an auto parts store. Those stores usually stock a variety of hoses. If the hose makes contact with gasoline or gasoline vapors, be sure to tell the parts store staff, b/c that requires a special variety of rubber hose.
I own a 47 year old Ford truck and one thing I do to keep it on the road as a reliable runner is replace all the rubber hoses every 7-10 years, whether they appear to need to be replaced or not. I also swapped out all the spring hose clamps to worm drive. Suggest you consider to do that as part of your project. Best of luck.
I think Bing is from Minnesota, the cold acts as a preservative.
Somehow that seems a little Creepy !
Have you ever had lutefisk? It’s pretty good! Very tasty. Weird texture. I’ve never had the tv-dinner version. There’s a deli in Berkeley that’s my lutefisk source.
All I gotta say is Uff da. I couldn’t eat that stuff. Around here the men at some of the churches have a lutefisk supper once a year. Smells the whole church up. The interesting part is that real Norwegians still in Norway don’t like it either. I think maybe it was a trick that all the newcomers had to eat was rotten cod and just convinced everyone it was good. I’m not a big fan of sauerkraut either.
Grew up in Minneapolis, but never happened to have the opportunity to try it. I would try it, but then I want to try haggis too. Yeah, I’m like that. ExceptI will never try balut.