I've got a few questions about the shifting in my '83 300SD...

1st to 2nd is pretty harsh under hard acceleration. I've read this is normal.

2nd to 3rd: under normal or easy acceleration, it seems to hold 2nd too long, but under hard acceleration, it seems to shift at the appropriate time.

3rd to 4th requires a substantial easing off of the accelerator to initiate the shift.

I would report the rpm'of the shift points, but the tach is not working.

Is any of this normal tranny behavior??? It seems to downshift fine between all gears when either moving or coming to a stop, and doesn't make any clunks or any other weird noises. Or is it something else, like a vaccum issue? As far as I know, the tranny has never been rebuilt.

I'm new to Benzes, and I picked up this one to tinker with and possibly do a WVO conversion.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!