Hello all, I'm new to the world of MBs and to diesels. I keep a beater car or two or three around just to play with and keep mileage off of my newer cars. Decided a month ago I wanted a MB diesel so I did my research and settled on the turbo diesel. So I now own a beater 1983 300D. First gear was gone when I bought it but the motor sounded good with 220,000 miles. Did my research and went after the B2 piston in the transmission and found it broken. I love it when it's simple. Replaced it with the new style kit and walla. 1st gear is back.
Now I'm after the AC. The car was hit in the front and has no condenser. Everything else seems to be intact. I found an 82 300SD in the junk yard but the hoses exit the driver side of the condenser. My hoses appear to be on the passenger side where they attach to the condenser. My question: what years and models will fit my 83 300D? Also is there a chance the 82 300SD could be turned over so the hose fittings are on the passenger side?
Great site, great people and lots of great information. Thanks

You can't turn a condenser upside-down unless you also reverse the flow. But I didn't think that the 126 condenser would even fit in your 123.

Thanks for the reply. I didnt take any measurements and I don't know enough about the interchanges of parts so I appreciate your help. for the other question. What years may fit a 1983 300D. I'm guessing at least one from a 1983 300D but there should be others. Thanks

Carefull using any used AC parts. If the conpressor seized on the donor car the other parts will likely have metal flakes inside it. These flakes can destroy your compressor. Atleast make sure the system is flushed before you run it.

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The '83 condenser is tube-and-fin, so it will flush fairly easily. Were he talking about a parallel-flow condenser, I would have said get a new one.

I did replace my condenser with a new one when I flushed the system. It was working fine, but p-f condensers are nearly impossible to flush properly.