William,

Thanks for the complement, but I'm not good at using my time. I am very project oriented. I get started on a project and that's what gets the majority of my time until I'm done.

Unfortunately, too much of my time has been involved with my regular job lately. Our business was struggling before the attack, then after that our business has just stopped. We went through a pay cut as a last effort to save what little of the company is left. I've been putting in beaucoup time trying to do my part to save the company. The car project has been therapeutic.

There are plenty of things around here that I'm way behind on. Plus I started tearing the car apart in the summer, I think even in July. One thing led to another as far as getting parts, then other parts to match the previous parts, etc, etc, etc. It was then late October before I was finished.

In fact I am so project oriented that I'm anxious now to get to my 240D and put it back on the road. I'm trying to decide whether to do that next or put my woodworking equipment back in place and do some woodworking projects for a while. Either will be therapeutic.

Thanks very much for your personal comments and thoughts,

Have a great day,

Yeah, the economy sucks right now. I hope it turns around within months, not years, and I feel for everyone affected by it.... btw Larry, nice work on the 300D. Actually I'm thinking about a Chevy LT1 in my SD. That would be different, and would surprise a lot of people on the highways of the Northeastern USA... If we lived closer to each other, you could be my MB tech for sure. Take care, Bob

__________________
Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

TxBill,

I was looking forward to the get together, if Aaron comes down, maybe we can use that as the milestone/motivator to do a little more work to generate interest. I would be happy to individually email some of the people in our general area.

I look forward to meeting you.

Have a great day,

When I put the engine back together and it was on the engine stand, I checked the valves that were in position and they were perfect. I had adjusted the valves just a few miles before it was torn down.

Now that the engine has about 1,000 miles on it, and the valves didn't sound exactly right, I adjusted them this afternoon. The engine sounds better and I think even idling a skosh better.

I should've adjusted them while the engine was on the stand, it would have been easier. But, I was fighting that urge to get it together to see how it's gonna come out.

I also fixed the cruise control, dash lights and radio antenna today. This car is really standing tall.

A setback was one of the A/T cooling lines developed a leak. After putting back in, I expect it got a little out of the position it was in before and the rubber was strained. Oh well, $11 from Fastlane and a few quarts of fluid and that'll even be back like new.

I think I'll just sell my C240 and take this car away from my daughter. After all, she's young, walking would be good for her.

Thanks for letting me share my excitement about how well this car is coming along.

Have a great day,

Then again your daughter may trade you even up for your C240. Glad to here that your hard work paid off.

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Larry,

I have been reading this and the related threads, along with many others for quite some time, and have to take my hat off to you. My daughter drives my old 240D with a manual transmission at school now, and thanks to some help from this forum I got it running really well this Fall for her. I know a little of the satisfaction you get from struggling to help your kid using your own hands and wits. Congratulations.

Now, if your daughter is like mine, be careful or she will negotiate that C240 right out from under you. While I am proud of how my daughter has learned to persevere and get what she wants in life, I sometimes wish she would not spend so much effort sharpening that skill on me. But I guess that is another Dad functions.

Great job, and congratulations. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

No worry, the C240 stays tucked away in the shop with a car cover over it unless I AM driving it.

But, yes daughters find out fast how to wrap Daddy around their finger.

Thanks for the comments,

Hey Larry!!!

WE'RE NOT WORTHY, WE'RE NOT WORTHY!!

I am always impressed with DIY'ers that are not daunted by the prospect of doing SERIOUS engine work, and not just spark plugs and oil changes!

Hats off to you...from a DIY'er that couldn't tackle a lawn mower repair!

BTW, where is Sumner, as opposed to say...DFW?

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Sumner is nowhere. There is nothing there except the post office. There is no gas station, general store or anything. I live 12 miles from Sumner on the Red River, about 20 miles West Northwest of Paris, Texas. It's 127 miles from DFW airport.

I live 20 miles from the nearest four lane highway or railroad track.

Have a great day,

Wonder if FedEx delivers out there?

Reminds me of the scene in the movie "Castaway" with Tom Hanks when he attempts to deliver a package he had with him on the island for four years...there was NOTHING for miles!!!

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Yes,

FedEx delivers. Better yet, we have county water and indoor plumbing. However, we're so far out in the country the TV works on Propane!

Have a great day,