Finally made some time in the schedule, and with a couple of boxes in tow with gaskets filters etc..I have managed to eek out some mild successes. Purchased the wrenches from DG, and for the 10 bucks went ahead and got the DVD. Overall I think watching the DVD made the whole process a lot less intimidating. Anyways, as advertised, many of the valves were way too tight, and after fiddling with the wrenches and getting the technique down, I managed to knock out the whole thing in about 90 minutes. Referred back to this site twice to make sure I was doing it correctly, and buttoned her up. It was a very gratifying to turn the key and hear the cold engine settle into a quieter smooth idle. Then went on to change the oil and fuel filters, a noticable difference in performance with the short test drive.

Had planned on finishing the afternoon with changing out the rear diff fluid, but holy schmoly those nuts are not moving. I need to hit them with PB blaster over the coming week and then try again.

thanks to all of the experienced gurus on the board, tomorrow is AT filter and fluid change.

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Chris
1983 300SD Cypress Green
1984 300 Turbo Diesel Petrol Blue Green (Sold...)