Well I thought I would put this up here just so when I ask questions down the line you hardcores will know the story behind this.

I just finished my first 115 even though it isn't perfect yet. I found a great deal on a 123 wagon and want to have another good MB for my wife and I both to drive...plus I just thought it was an awesome car.

It is a 300TDT black exterior with black interior. The paint will need a little loving but nothing horrible. A tad bit of surface rust in one spot and some cracked clear coat. My dad can paint so it may be going in once it is up and running good. Has manual sunroof and the interior is in great shape. There are not any cracks or anything. Apperently they all have SLS but it will be neat to see that up and running.

Brandon went to help me pick it up today. Here is the story behind the car. This guy bought it from a lady who had been driving it. One day the Turbo seized up and they parked it becuase it was to expensive to fix. So it sat for a couple years. Then this guy bought it to swap the seats out for his son's 230CE. Of course the seats wouldn't work so it sat longer. He was doing a bit of spring cleaning and just wanted to get rid of it. So for $300 and $100 in fuel later, it is at Brandons waiting to dig into. Brandon had a spare turbo so we don't have to look to hard for that.

Besides new filters for everything, new fluid, a new master key, and the usuals, it just needs some loving. Of course when we tear into it we will see what other problems jump up (like the radiator YIKES) First problem found.

Here are a couple of pics. Mind you it was in the upper 20's while we were loading this (Cold for around these parts)

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76 300D 130K "Stella" (Sold )
74 240D 299K (Donated to Highschool For Senior Project WVO)
83 300TDT 290K (My one and only)
Sanford, NC

Extemely cold....mid 20's with like 0F windchill! haha...the sun was nice!

The car sits in my driveway now being checked out by the 300SD

Your cars have been more of projects than my own! Its fun times.

Yes. Your car is a bit of a perv....Just sitting there staring at her rear end

I think I have a soft spot in my heart for those that need a lot of loving. Makes me feel a lot more connected to the car I guess

I just gotta keep on keep'n on.

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76 300D 130K "Stella" (Sold )
74 240D 299K (Donated to Highschool For Senior Project WVO)
83 300TDT 290K (My one and only)
Sanford, NC

Living up to your name huh? Looks like a nice find. I wish my old lady would let me have 3 Mercedes.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Well,

There is a catch to every story.

This one is at Brandons for a couple of reasons

#1: Easier to work on there
#2: I can't bring this one back unless it runs (wife's rule)
#3: One of them has to go away

But this doesn't mean it has to be sold (even though I think that was the intent of her statement). If I'm tricky enough I can keep it down at my parents (as I may have to do with all of them in the near future while I'm gone) We'll see how that goes. But if one has to go on the chopping block it will end up being the 240. If I can manage I'll be able to hold onto it by letting my brother keep it. A great first car for him (and my dad will make darn sure he takes car of it)

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76 300D 130K "Stella" (Sold )
74 240D 299K (Donated to Highschool For Senior Project WVO)
83 300TDT 290K (My one and only)
Sanford, NC

I'll have Brandon put some pics up. But it was another cold day. (started snowing) But Monday we got to putting the 300TDT back together. I'm not sure how many good pictures we got but we have a very good hypothesis why the turbo siezed up.

It was not completely siezed but was very very hard to turn. When we got the exhaust manifold and intake off we couldn't beleive what we saw. Well Brandon might have but I didn't.

The exhaust manifold was completely loaded up with rust and other grime. I think I got a couple pictures of it. It was enough for a handful or more just in the manifold. Who knows what is further down the pipe. ( Ohhhh man is that going to be fun to blow out POOF)

The intake was so covered in goo left over from the EGR I'm surpirsed it could breath at all. The Banjo bolt was completely filled and we burned a ton of the crap out from the inside. A few good Italian tune ups will have to do the rest .

The Turbo itself was just absolutely caked in crap. We put the propane torch on it and it just lit up with all the crap in there. DISGUSTING.

So this is our theory. It was litterally an old lady car. She must have driven as one for the 289K of the car. It changed hands to her grandkids or something like that right before it crapped out. Not really sure on the story. Anyway the guess is that someone finally stomped on the thing like it had been asking for for years and all that crap went on through the turbo and siezed it. That combined with the intake it was in need of some loving so they decided to park it. (Good thing or I wouldn't have it now )

The radiator is shot, needs a new window regulator for the passanger rear and new alternator bracket. Probably just a new alternator. Only has a 55amp will be putting a 65 amp on soon. The brushes on the old one are shot as well. I will be surprised if it works. But we got it all backtogether most of the filters and fluids changed (waiting to get it running before working on the PS and hydraulic systems. Ohhh and AC compressor is froze up.

Other than that she is looking good. Brandon if you read this can you post some pics Thank you

Edit: We got the valves adjusted too...pretty darn tight..probably hadn't been done in awhile

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76 300D 130K "Stella" (Sold )
74 240D 299K (Donated to Highschool For Senior Project WVO)
83 300TDT 290K (My one and only)
Sanford, NC

Here are some pictures of the setup to stay somewhat above freezing (it was VERY cold outside).

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Here are pics of what we found.

-Disgusting engine
-Plugged Manifold
-Really Plugged
-THe crap out of the exhaust manifold
-The cleaning process

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Hey Brandon while that disgusting manifold is out, I'd be interested in how much it weighs...minus all that gunk of course

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

I'll throw my other manifold on a scale for you...the one for the 300TDT is already back on

Its the stock one off my 300SD. They are amazingly light.

Wow, that's nasty!

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

7 pounds.

nice car, or will be.

that paint will prob buff out and look preetty good.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Good Project. Your gonna have a great car pretty soon.

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Yes I agree,

This car has been good to me in comparison to my 115's. Parts are way easier to find and it is a bit easier to work on. I have a good feeling about this car. I can't wait to take it out for a spin. Blow some smoke She is going to need a lot of work down the road but well worth the time.

__________________
76 300D 130K "Stella" (Sold )
74 240D 299K (Donated to Highschool For Senior Project WVO)
83 300TDT 290K (My one and only)
Sanford, NC