It's like driving a refrigerator
 

It's like driving a refrigerator...for the dependability, not for the boxiness.

On a whim, while my family is in SW Virginia for July, and I'm stuck in NE working, I decided to drive down to visit them for the weekend.

I loaded my trunk down with 50 gals of WVO/RUG blend, and hit the road friday afternoon. 12 hour trip, stopping once midway to refuel my car and myself.

The return trip started yesterday at noon from Abingdon, VA, and I was in Massachusetts by midnight. 1700 miles without a hiccup. These diesels are truly amazing. They just run. It's like a refrigerator...you never think about it running, it just runs and keeps your food cold.

I didn't pass too many other 80's diesels...a 300D in VA on Friday, and a 300TD in CT last night.

A couple questions, while I have your attention:
I have a line on an '89 420SEL for cheap (southern car...no rust). If I can find a 617 motor, will motor mounts, etc. line up to make this swap painless?

Also, my fuel gauge would act a little funky. It would come and go, or not wrok at all, but only when the tank is full. Once I have 50 miles or so, the gauge works fine all the way until the tank is empty. I assume this is a sender issue. Any seen this before?

Thanks

Most likely the sending unit unless you are getting some other abnormalities like flickering dash lights that would indicate a grounding problem. I have read a couple of threads where the sending unit was just de-gunked (cleaned) and replaced so you might be able to get away with just some time.