The $100 240

[MikeTangas]

Arrg....I hate computers...lost the first, legnthy post.

This morning at 0630 my 15 year old son and I were on the road heading out to meet Damon, 1983 300TD, to take a look at the $100 240D he posted earlier about. 3 hours and 270 miles later we were at the agreed meet point sipping coffee. Damon arrived at the agreed time and after a brief chat we headed out of town. I really enjoyed watching his TD tool down the road but I hate him for his exhaust. He is running a WVO blend that smells of french fries and that aroma made me hungrier than all get out!

After a short 20 miles or so we arrived at the owners house. I began to have doubts, questioning my own sanity fro driving 300 miles to look at a car behind a barn. I've seen plenty of these "field" cars, most are a huge pile of rust and useless parts. Damon's description of "not too much rust" leave plenty of room for doubt because rust in Michigan is generally accepted - look at the posts by whunter about rust.

Out behind the barn we find




(thats junior heading towards Damon's TD)



Well, the right front tire is flat, battery is missing and the hood star is gone too. We pull the battery out of the 560 and lug it up to the 240. Once bolted in we give the key a turn. The starter starts turning, but slow. A couple tries later still no joy. The glow plug light appears to be functioning properly but I check the GPs with a DMM. Find none open but a wide varience in resistance (8.5 - 45.9 ohms). OK, she needs glow plugs, but it is 65+*F so it should start if we can get it spinning fast enough. A couple more tries with the key and the starter gives up the ghost. Starer is dead, Damon finds a receipt for a CarQuest starter dated a few years ago...most likely a cheapo rebuild.

OK, we need tires, glow plugs and a starter, but is it worth it? Maybe the next two pictures will help...


Yep thats a stick


presumed to be correct.

Beside the low mileage and stick shift, the car has manual windows, manual sunroof, no ACC. It does however have a factory AC unit.

I've made up my mind.

We talk with the owner, her and her late husband bought this little beastie new in 1979. Drove it for a year or two then sold it to someone else in their town. A few years ago it came home to roost when the owner stored it on their property, then paid them for storage by giving them the car back.

Besides this blue 240 they owned four others at one time or another, all 240's, all stick shift and mostly used just around the local area.

Left me with the feeling the mileage is true. Beneath the dirt, grime and whatnot, everything looked to be near new, especially the aluminum casting for the alt bracket and motor mount arms.

I gladly hand over a C-note and the now prior owner hand me a set of original keys, including the valet key. We talk a bit more and she will allow me to leave the car where it is until I have time to come up again with a set of tires, fresh fuel and glow plugs. Plus I'll need some way to bring back an engine...a second diesel engine comes with the deal. No idea what it fits, the lady wasn't sure and we didn't travel to the other barn to check it out.

[The Warden]

Congratulations!

You need to update your sig!

Are you suuuuuure yuo want that spare engine?

[R Leo]

What a deal!

[pj67coll]

My god. If only that could happen to me. That would be a dream come true out of a nightmare right now!

- Peter.

[engatwork]

Way to go Mike. You will get a kick messing with this old diesel compared to the 560 because of all the room under the hood.

[1983 300TD]

Congrats to you Mike on your "new" 1979 240D. When I saw it behind that barn, I just knew someone had to buy---might as well have been a nice guy like yourself. Hope all goes well with getting it back down state.
Damon Fite
1983 300TD burning diesel/veg-oil blends

[MikeTangas]

Thanks y'all.

As far as having room under the hood, it really does. Almost as much as my old Ford pick-up I had with the big in-line 6. As Damon and I were poking around under the hood I couldn't help but notice that there appears to be enough room to pull the starter from topside. I'll be doing plenty of searches I'm sure.

Having the car 300 miles away does create a few logistical nightmares, but that just means I have to work efficiently, having every step in order. Unexpected problems will wreak havoc, and are expected, just because.

I already ordered a butt load of fuel filters, both main and pre, glow plugs and a starter. Also have air and oil filters on order. Next I have to find a series 49 battery here in town. Has anyone had success using anything smaller? I ask because the battery tray on the 123 seemed to be a tad smaller than my battery I pulled from the 560. Both of my V-8 Benzes take the big battery and I assume the diesel does too.

[R Leo]

Originally posted by MikeTangas
Thanks y'all. I couldn't help but notice that there appears to be enough room to pull the starter from topside.

Heh, it's not fair that you get to learn this on a 616-equipped 123. Sometime you should try getting to those two starter bolts on a 617; the easy way (seriously) is to drop the back of the engine, attach +24" of extension to your 1/2" ratchet, and go for it over the top of the bell housing (still easier than swapping starters on a '92 S-10 Chevy Blazer). Once you quit trying to go in from the top, it all happens pretty easily.

OTOH, the 616 is a piece-o-cake with room enough to practically square dance (and put a ratchet) between the firewall and the back of the block.

[R Leo]

One more thing...

You'll be pleasantly surprised when you get to the point of cleaning up that car. A little TLC (and elbow grease) will go a long way toward making that German paint look like new.

[leathermang]

Mike... on the "to pull the starter from topside" I posted pictures of doing that on mine....

the main problem is the lower bolt on the front starter support... which in my opinion is totally un-needed... way over engineered....
it is hard to access due to the curve in the cast aluminum engine mount.

[MikeTangas]

Gregg,

I remembered seeing that post and have spent a bunch of time trying to find it without luck. I specifically remembered about the front bolt and did notice on this one that the front of the starter is not bolted to the front bracket, seems who ever did the last replacement also felt it was overengineered (or gave up trying to get it in).

[phantoms]

Just replaced a starter on my 240D a few weeks ago and remember that bolt being aggravating. I did replace it though. I'm of the mind that you put it back the way it was (or is suppose to be). Comes from many years of working on cars.

[Lycoming-8]

Mike,

The 300D turbos or NA both take the series 49 battery, so I suspect that it would be correct to find a type 49 for your 240D. Once in, it should have an easier time and last a bit longer in your application.

[turbodiesel]

Very nice!! I'm not too convinced of the mileage but you can't beat it for $100! Keep us updated!

[BoostnBenz]

Wow quite a nice find Mike! How did you become aware of this car? I never really look in the local papers, I can't say I've seen many other older MBs running the roads around here.