Thanks for the great input. My confidence level is building.
Any particular brands of compressors to avoid? Just doing a search for compressors intended to fit the 83 300D, the price range is less than $200 to over $500. Is there a difference in new quality to make it worthwhile to pay the higher price?

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html