Hi-

My '84 300D doesn't have the black transmission vaccum box illustrated on Diesel Giant's website. - http://dieselgiant.com/trannyleverreplace.htm

I thought maybe it was a D versus SD thing, but I looked at 10 different eBay auctions for 83 and 84 300D's and they ALL have the little black box.

The throttle cam is there, but the whole lever assembly, cover, and vacuum tubes are mysteriously missing. I've had the car for two years and neither of my mechanics has mentioned it.

My transmission shifts pretty early, and flares a bit, moreso when cold. But my fuel mileage is pretty good, and a flarey shift seems preferable to the super-hard clunky shifts of my friend's 84 300SD which does have the little box.

So is this something I should replace? I can't find any dead-ended vacuum lines anywhere, so where are they supposed to be? Or should I only replace it if I want to try and fix the flaring?

Thanks!

__________________
==========================
Aaron
'84 300D 267,000 - Running WVO - Rice Bran Oil - Mmmmmm, fishy...
==========================

The valves under the black cover are there to operate the EGR valve. On your model, they do not operate the transmission. However, a leak in those valves can affect transmission operation, as the leak "robs" the transmission of needed vacuum. Unless you are concerned about having an EGR valve that operates, forget about the "black box." You are better off without it. It can't leak if it's not installed.

That being said, it is almost certain that someone will come forward with an anecdote about how they replaced their 3/2 valves or levers. And their transmission immediately started to shift smoothly. Therefore, they will conclude, the valves operate the transmission. But such is not the case.

Hahah. Thanks. I plugged my EGR valve last year and didn't really notice a difference. That would explain it. Oh well.

__________________
==========================
Aaron
'84 300D 267,000 - Running WVO - Rice Bran Oil - Mmmmmm, fishy...
==========================