I don't think mpg is as related to rpm on a diesel as it is on a car. It takes a set amount of POWER to move the car x distance at y speed based on the rolling resistance of the tires and aeordynamic drag. That power requirement when factored with the efficiency of the engine gives fuel economy.
Increased resistance in any way (dragging brakes, added roof racks, who knows what else) will decrease economy, so will decreasing the efficiency of the engine with things like bad thermostats.

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Sadly Benz-less

The efficiency on internal combustion engines is highly depended RPM. If to low the efficiency is bad and if to high the efficiency is bad. I commute 35 miles each way and a speed on 75-80 MPG. The engine refs 3000-3500 RPM.

Next week I will try my MPG going no faster than 65...we will see.

Still hoping to find a 2.88 axle ....would a 300SD axle fit?

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Good Patina Comes With Good Miles Driven.
Drive more polish less

220SEB 1963 (excellent driver with no rust but far from pretty)
300 TD Wagon 1981 (Daily Commuter Tractor)
911 MFI 1973

www.vintagemotion.com

not sure this works out, at least not for me. I dropped my RPMs by a whole gear and I gained 2-3 city(so far) 5 hwy(estimated due to past difference, I will know when the snowbirds go home) MPG going from the 3.07 to the 2.47.

the 2.47 I have is from a w126, you just have to flip the rear mount. also, when you pull the rear make sure you keep the axles shims as they are sized to the diff.

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

you need to calculate your effective gear ratio. if it actually reduces rpm 10% then the actual mileage is 22. likewise the speed will be higher so if it reads 60 the actuak would be 66.

the 81 is na so the diff would be 346.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Look in the resources tab above and click on DIY articles. A good write up on R&R a Diff.

See Post #2 above for 2:88.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

For the 300D/CD, yes. The 300TD was the first non-300SD turbo in 81 so it should be 3.07.

Actually, according to my mb illustrated buyer's guide the cd was turob in '81 too. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a mid year change over.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I have yet to see a genuine one.

There were no 1981 model year 300CD turbo diesels. All 1981 model year 300CDs were normally aspirated. Around 8/81 or 9/81, production switched from non turbo to turbo 300CDs, and while they made a few hundred 300CD turbo diesels in late 81, they were all 1982 model year vehicles.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

On your picture it looks like you have bigger wheels as well. How does the 2.47 drive and from which car did you get the axle???

__________________
Good Patina Comes With Good Miles Driven.
Drive more polish less

220SEB 1963 (excellent driver with no rust but far from pretty)
300 TD Wagon 1981 (Daily Commuter Tractor)
911 MFI 1973

www.vintagemotion.com

I LOVE the 2.47. The only drawback is my speedo is off by 40%. also the wheels are large but the tire OD is actually smaller so that makes the 2.47 a little higher. I have a manual trans so an auto probably wouldnt notice the 1st gear takoff sluggishness I have. once I get to 5MPH first is like 2nd gear used to be and 4th is like an overdrive

I was watching my speedo closely with regard to RPM, this is what I have. At 45MPH (corrected to 63MPH) I turn 2200RPM. I think I have mis stated this in the past because I was guessing but this is the right numbers verified today. 4th has all the power I need to climb hills and will accellerate just fine. If I need to pass 3rd is the same as 4th used to be

I took the 2.47 from a 380 or 500 sel I cant remember.

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

Does the flexdisc fit from your car? I know that on gas cars different sizes are used from V8 to I6.

__________________
Good Patina Comes With Good Miles Driven.
Drive more polish less

220SEB 1963 (excellent driver with no rust but far from pretty)
300 TD Wagon 1981 (Daily Commuter Tractor)
911 MFI 1973

www.vintagemotion.com

I removed the 3 hole flange from the back of an old transmission I had and used it on the 2.47 from the SEL. I guess you can also use the one from the rear you remove but I wanted to keep mine intact in case I didnt like it or I wanted to put in a five speed

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

Is there anyway to correct that?

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

I am looking at correction devices, unfortunately there is no cheap solution. there are mechanical ones with set ratios around $80, but Im not sure they will screw on and there are electrical drivers that are much more expensive but infinitely adjustable and again not sure if the threads are the same. I do the calc in my head for free

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)