Hi, I am posting this primarily to get peoples opinions on the task I am going to undertake and to learn a little about the A/C system in the Mercedes 123. I have a '76 Euro 300D with no A/C option. I am looking to buy a parts car to use as a donor for the A/C System (preferably one that drives... I would like to drive it in the winter to prevent my 300D from rusting.) I was told that I would have to be looking for a 79 or older 240D as the donor car. My car is more like a 240D with a 5-cylinder engine (i.e. non-wood dash, crank windows, manual transmission, ect.) I have noticed that the older cars (78 and earlier) had the compressor mounted on the top of the engine by the air filter whereas the later models have the compressor located on the bottom of the engine under the power steering pump. Can I use either style or am I limited to the top mounting one? I know I will have to get a compressor, an evaporator, and the dash control unit but what other parts are involved in the A/C system? I know this is going to be a difficult task and that is why I want a donor car so that I can tinker with it for a long time. I feel confident that I can do it with enough patience and persistence but neither the haynes or chiltons manuals have much about the heating / Air Conditioning systems. I did find the extremely helpful post by dmorrison ( Photo step by step post showing a W123 evaporator removal (1983 240D and 1982 300TD) ) on a step-by-step removal of the evaporator but Im sure I am still lacking knowledge about the system. OK thanks in advance for any advice, Alex

__________________
'76 300D Euro Model 4sp Manual 108k
'83 300D 4sp Manual Conversion