I am looking for a bit of advice.

After enjoying fixing up my 300SD.. I decided with a friend who has a TD that we should find a "project car" to fix up and sell, or keep.

Well... You know how this story can go.

We did not find the diamond in the rough.. it was just a stone!

Here is what we did.

We bought a 82 300D. It was in ugly shape on the outside, it has a interior that is great in spots, crap in others. It had been sitting for a few years.

We threw just a little money at it. Just enough to see if it was viable. I belive it is not. Did oil change, fuel filters, and bypassed the fuel system and hooked up a bottle with some B100.

It cranks up, runs and drives. We had been told it may have a head problem. The car heats up fast (i shut it down before 100deg) It blows smoke that I believe to be blue smoke. Sounds like a bad head to me.

Looking at this car.. It does not seem to be worth spending the 500 on the head, (sending it to metric motors) 500 or so for brakes all around. battery, windshield, and whatever else it needs. you would have 2k in a car with a rusty body, and ok interior.

The good news.... we are in it cheap!!

SO.. my question is... How is it best to get out of this thing. We could obviously just junk the whole thing. It won't hurt too much. Both of us are eyeing the good tires and four rims (it'd be nice to have rims to keep my snow tires mounted on) Each of us would like to rob some components. We have a junkyard willing to take whatever we don't peel away.

Do we try and ebay some stuff? Or do we try and sell the car as a parts car? The dash is very nice, and some of the door panels are good.

Is it worth it to sell some of this stuff?

My wife is being very good about the whole thing.. and is even offering me a pass to let it stay on the lawn longer than my self imposed two week limit. She really wanted to see me ressurect it.. but I just think that THIS car isn't worth the effort. Now if it was my 300SD.. I'd buy a crate motor at this point if it died.. Not likely though, It was well cared for, and It's got 175k on the clock.

Thanks for the opinions.

JP

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1985 300SD
2001 Toyota Tundra - soon to be replaced with diesel truck
2006 Honda CRV

the best way to get out of the car is to part it out...
ebay
transmission 150-500
the climate control 70 bucks

I agree, part it out and use the money to start over with a better car. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, you should come out ahead.

Just my opinion as a fellow rust belt person. The determing factor in my mind for our area is you have to have pretty good mechanics or a pretty good body to start with. If you lack both it is probably time to bail out. You can most likely get your money back plus a few parts for yourselves. It is also a good experience to part out one I imagine. People are always looking for odd parts on 123s. I need two good front fenders for example but would not expect to find them in maine. Or just the lower portions to use as patch panels if still good but they usually rot there first. Many members are also looking for things. Perhaps a good way to get to know some of them. I would also consider pulling the automatic if really good and storing it if you or your friend continue to own 123 types.

Yeah, he has the 123 wagon... so he is much more excited about parts stockpiling that I am.

I did notice that the tailights were the same lenses.. I may grab those and stuff them in the attic "just in case"

We were told that the transmission had been replaced. I think the car has 190k or so on it. Maybe the tranny is worth something.

The car was in MA... but near the shore. front fenders are much better than the rears.. I'll take a good look and let you know.

Were in it so cheap.. I think the tires and rims get me about even.

JP

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1985 300SD
2001 Toyota Tundra - soon to be replaced with diesel truck
2006 Honda CRV

will that tranny fit in a 83 300sd?

there are people who will buy quarter panels...

You will probably make money.... the internal engine parts
will sell.... crank, pistons....

radiator 50 bucks...

I have a transmission that will fit a 1983 300SD. In fact, it's in the car right now, and seems to work great, as does the engine. Car's been hit, does drive fine, but it's not staying in the family much longer.

Why I quote trying to part out a car can be an experience. Kanter brothers of new jersy brought an old packard car while engineering students at university. It had a trunkful of packhard parts. As they were selling them off it took them into a large parts supply buisiness they never left. Glad you did not have much into it. I did the same thing twice myself. Once should have been enough for me.

and I gruesomed it out. I was attached to my 300D, and I should have let it die. This is almost an unbelievable story.

1. Engine went due to mistake on my part. Oil ran low because of blocked breather hose that I caused by experimenting.

2. Replaced Engine myself. ($500)

3. While testing, car caught on FIRE due to short in Instrument panel. Fire Department left 100 gallons of water in it. Melted dash, melted harness, melted windshield.

4. Replaced dash, wiring harness, cracked windshield. ($100, windshield and dsah from junkyard)

5. transmission went

6. replaced transmission. ($300)

7. Got car running.

8. car runs well, replaced coil springs

9. Found rust in floor

10 Welded steel to replace rust. (Welder, $300)

11. Replaced interior with interior from another car, looks great ($150)

12. Car runs and used as Daily Driver.

13. Bought new tires. ($300)

14. Powdercoated rims out of boredom. ($200 )

15. Needs paint to look respectable. Thinking of painting it.

16. Neighbor's kids crack windshield ($100)

17. $2300 dollars spent, not to mention --could have bought a used Honda Civic!!

STOP, Rich, leave the car alone, !

Part it out.

I know of a nearly immaculate 300D in Belfast, ME that may be available. I doubt it will be cheap but I will be back up there after the 4th of July. Contact me if you think you want it, I'll check on it.

IMMACULATE 300D? Thats my goal with my present car!

I think pulling the head yourself and attempting to fix it would be a good experience. You don't really have anything to lose and you just may get it running.

You did say it was a project car didn't you? So.....get to work!

danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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If I was in my new house (we plan to start building soon) I would probably keep it. Working on the lawn is no fun.

We bought 70 acres.. I think I could find somewhere in the woods to hide it my wife wouldn't find it.

JP

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1985 300SD
2001 Toyota Tundra - soon to be replaced with diesel truck
2006 Honda CRV