Try running it off a small canister: just pull the feed and return lines, and stick them in there; make sure the canister is secured properly and no diesel can spill out, and take it for a very short test drive.

When the steel fuel lines are 30 years old, they might be clogged from rust knocked loose during the impact. When I started my 200D after 12 years of sitting it barely started; when I ran it off a canister, it started much easier and seemed to rev better, so that could be your problem too.

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-1990 W124 230E; Winter car
-1985 W123 230TE; Ex-280TE, daily driver
-1976 W115 200D; Restoration project