new 1983 300TD, it's rough

[cpm]

It's a rough old car. I did buy it sight unseen, and the fellow who sold it to me, was
pretty straight up about the car. It's as rough as he said. I have no heartburn over it.
He said the engine ran good, and that seems to be true. The engine is pretty clean
also, not clean in that "rip-off engine detailing" sense, but the "I need to work
on this engine, I'll clean it up" sense. It's kinda oily, but no big piles of glop
down in all the cavities, as one might expect of a car with 318K miles on it.

While the engine fires right up, and seems to run okay. The oil pressure pegs
to 3 bar when you rev it up in neutral. That seems odd. I mean pegs, as in
hits the pin. Dunno about that.

Also, the transmission is 'clunky'. It shifts hard, and seems to 'miss' on
it's way from 1st to 2nd. Into 3rd it just shifts hard. And sitting at a stop
with the brake on shifting from Park to Reverse, into neutral and drive and
back up again, the car bucks around a bit as the transmission is engaged. Seems
like the torque converter is being kinda grabby.

The usual stuff, no power locks, no tach. No dash lights. Car does shut down with
the key though.

Anyone have any input about the oil pressure and the transmission shifting issues?
yes, the oil was changed before it was delivered, as was the transmission fluid.

Also, can someone provide links as to who rebuilds seats? The drivers seat is
really bad.

thanks in advance,

--

[kerry]

Lots of info on this site about rebuilding your own seats.
Mercedes, for reasons beyond the comprehension of us mere mortals, installed oil pressure gauges unable to measure the high end of the oil pressure of their engines. They all peg.
Before doing anything else to your transmission, resolve all vacuum problems. In correct vacuum can wreak havoc on the transmission shifts. The fact that you have no door locks. indicates there are problems with your vacuum system. The climate control system is notorious for causing vacuum leaks. Mercedes should have provided Mity Vacs with these cars instead of first aid kits.

[RUYSENAARS]

Originally Posted by kerry edwards

Lots of info on this site about rebuilding your own seats.
Mercedes, for reasons beyond the comprehension of us mere mortals, installed oil pressure gauges unable to measure the high end of the oil pressure of their engines. They all peg.
Before doing anything else to your transmission, resolve all vacuum problems. In correct vacuum can wreak havoc on the transmission shifts. The fact that you have no door locks. indicates there are problems with your vacuum system. The climate control system is notorious for causing vacuum leaks. Mercedes should have provided Mity Vacs with these cars instead of first aid kits.

Kerry is right!!!, these are all small issues, get the vacuum system checked, probably a cheap fix! This will solve your shifting problems, door locks, and probably a few other things too. Oil pressure thing is normal! Find a good independant Mercedes Tech to help you. Good luck!!!

[Pete Burton]

For dash lights, twist rheostat back and forth repeatedly, they may work a bit then. Personally, I gave up on my front seats and replaced them with a pair from a late model BMW. Boy, was that ever worth it!

[DieselBone]

aww yes, the 83 trannys.....They do tend to shift a bit more harsh than years before, from what I hear, this is normal. I do agree with the last posts, get your vacuum system back in shape, the shifting might soften up. Good luck!

[80benz]

Originally Posted by Pete Burton

For dash lights, twist rheostat back and forth repeatedly, they may work a bit then. Personally, I gave up on my front seats and replaced them with a pair from a late model BMW. Boy, was that ever worth it!

what year and model? did they bolt right in or did you have to do modifications?

[cpm]

Well,

Thanks kindly for all the direction. I'll get on that vacuum stuff first. See where
it goes from there.

Great resource, this place.

[Pete Burton]

Originally Posted by 80benz

what year and model? did they bolt right in or did you have to do modifications?

The seats are from a 98 750iL. The grey leather is a great match to the existing interior. Sure, I had to fabricate brackets to mount the seats. I used the electrical harness and plug from the old seat, and the armrest is MB also. I used seat heater switches from an Audi, as it controls fast heating to 6 selectable setpoints on a numbered wheel and uses the same thermal feedback sensor.