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  #1  
Old 02-20-2008, 12:59 PM
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Location: Green Isle, MN
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1979 300 SD - To Buy or Not

I am looking to purchase a 1979 300 SD Turbo, as a possible "daily driver".

The one concern I have is that the current owner says it "uses - not leaks" 1 qt/200 miles, when driving at highway speeds. Virtually no oil usage when driven around town.

Rust free - interior is beat. Windows are non-functional, climate control needs attention. 343k miles.

New/rebuilt tranny 20k ago.

$1500/accepting offers.

Anybody want to give their opinion?

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Green Isle, MN
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1980 300SD Turbo In a 1974 Ford SuperCab Pickup
1964 Parts Car
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  #2  
Old 02-20-2008, 01:14 PM
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There's no oil separator on that engine. The valve cover is vented directly into the intake just in front of the turbo. I'd suspect that what is happening is that at sustained high speeds a lot of oil is being sucked out of the crankcase and into the intake. If that is the problem, you could retrofit a separator of some kind or just put in oil.
But, that's a lot of miles.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
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1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
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  #3  
Old 02-20-2008, 01:42 PM
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The price seems high, and the oil consumption could be something simple or bad. See if how easily you can start it on a cold day with a cold engine.
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  #4  
Old 02-20-2008, 01:50 PM
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Location: Columbia City Indiana
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Couple of years ago I bought a 79 SD for 650 and it didn't use oil but leaked it. I am dissapointed in the body, it is a rust bucket. Rust holds most things together but what a strong engine!!
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  #5  
Old 02-20-2008, 02:05 PM
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That's a lot for some many things wrong.
Climate Control could be as much as $800 (parts alone) to fix and you need heat where you are.
Windows, that's your choice, if you're the only one in it, then maybe only the driver window needs repaired. What about sunroof? That's always nice to have if the windows don't work.
Finding a new interior for a 116 could be next to impossible, but I have a decent backseat in black if you need one. Or you could just sheepskin the whole thing.

As for the oil, I'm learning that it couls be easy or it could be $$$$.
Does it have a block heater? Does it start easy? Blowby?

Good luck!
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  #6  
Old 02-20-2008, 02:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bgkast View Post
The price seems high, and the oil consumption could be something simple or bad. See if how easily you can start it on a cold day with a cold engine.
Does not start for beans on cold days (Days under 20 F). I am just talking with the seller, right now - have not put my eyes/hands on the car. I am seeking advice on whether it is worth the effort and time to go do so.

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1980 300SD Turbo In a 1974 Ford SuperCab Pickup
1964 Parts Car
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  #7  
Old 02-20-2008, 02:45 PM
Admiral-Third World Fleet
 
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rust free in MN? Really?

343K is too many miles IMO. If you buy it for somewhat long term use, better be looking for a backup engine, too.
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  #8  
Old 02-20-2008, 02:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rs899 View Post
rust free in MN? Really?

343K is too many miles IMO. If you buy it for somewhat long term use, better be looking for a backup engine, too.
I think I remember seeing an ad for this one on Craigslist. If it is the same one it has Nevada plates on it and was recently brought from Nevada, thus the no rust. Most rust free older cars (like mine!) were brought from somewhere outside of the rustbelt!

The mileage and price are what I remember but don't remember reading anything about these problems.
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  #9  
Old 02-20-2008, 03:07 PM
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My 1981 300D is just the opposite. It uses a fair bit of oil in daily driving which involves ten miles to work and back. The valve seals are worn. However, I have driven long distance at interstate speeds and the oil consuption is nil by comparision. Obviously, the old valve seals perform better on a warm engine than a cold engine.
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Current:
1985 300D aka Miss Margaret
1991 300SE aka Alarice
1995 SL320 aka Samantha
1997 K1500 Silverado
Past:
1999 E300 ex-wife got it and let her son ruin it
1984 190 2.3 ex-wife got it and let her son destroy a great car
1985 300D (CA version) aka Maybelline lost to deer at high speed.
1981 300D aka Madeline (went to salvage at near 400k) rusty, yet best car I ever drove
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McFarlan TV6 (only a few privately owned)
ReVere with Rochester engine
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  #10  
Old 02-20-2008, 03:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Graplr View Post
I think I remember seeing an ad for this one on Craigslist. If it is the same one it has Nevada plates on it and was recently brought from Nevada, thus the no rust. Most rust free older cars (like mine!) were brought from somewhere outside of the rustbelt!

The mileage and price are what I remember but don't remember reading anything about these problems.
It is a Craigslist vehicle. The plates look MN, though there is only one shot that "kind-of" shows the plate.

The other information was gathered from communication with the seller.

He did say it was slow through the mountains, which I thought interesting - we don't have many mountains here in MN.
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1980 300SD Turbo In a 1974 Ford SuperCab Pickup
1964 Parts Car
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  #11  
Old 02-20-2008, 08:12 PM
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I am in southeast Wisconsin and have a decent Parchment interior if you decide to get it. The 116 is a great driver.
Agree that the oil is comming out the top and just getting burned, no idea how to fix though.
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  #12  
Old 02-21-2008, 12:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshua Coder View Post
It is a Craigslist vehicle. The plates look MN, though there is only one shot that "kind-of" shows the plate.

The other information was gathered from communication with the seller.

He did say it was slow through the mountains, which I thought interesting - we don't have many mountains here in MN.
Yep, that is the one I saw. Just looked at the ad again this morning. This is at least the third ad I have seen for this car. I think he started out at $1800 or $1900. If you do go look at it I bet you could talk him down a bit.

I think it was in the first ad that the plates were more obvious. I showed it to my girlfriend who really, really liked it. She grew up in Las Vegas and instantly said, those are Nevada plates.

That does seem like a lot of oil being used. The car does look like it is in great shape. (from the pics at least)

If you could get it for closer to $1000 or under you may be able to come out ahead in the end (after fixing things). If I was in the market for another one I would definitely go look at it. But I'm in the Twin Cities so it would be a shorter trip for me!

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