Thanks dieselbenz1 I’ll check into that. I found a few on Amazon to chose from. I’ll be installing one soon because it looks pretty clear to me the PCV system is the source of gunk in the intake system of these engines. For $20-30 bucks it’s a no brainer and since my EGR is no longer hooked up I’m sure my little OM602 will be happy to breath clean air and last a few more decades.

Oil catch can installed as well as a replacement 722.418 transmission. Bigger job than I thought but some help from my buddies and a lift really helped. I thought I would need to tweak the vacuum modulator throttle cable etc but it shifts perfectly right off the bat. So happy as when I bought the car the tranny shifted perfectly but soon after I lost reverse. Luckily I found an excellent replacement for just $200 dodging a bullet. One remaining intermittent tick (sounds like a lifter) and she’s ready to put on some serious miles.

Glad you got your car fixed and back on the road. I am going to start working on mine soon, now that the weather is warming up.

If the actuator really is a pressure actuator, the 3-foot distance for the boost signal is not your problem. The port distance would only affect the wastegate opening at max boost (actuator opening point, hopefully 14psi). If anything it may allow a slight bit of overboost (say, 15psi instead of 14). Your turbo not "kicking in" until 2500rpm is probably due to lack of fuel off idle... have to adjust the ALDA (or turn up the IP full load) to fix that problem. But it ain't the pressure wastegate, or the previous mechanic's creativity...