Super slow 1st gear common feature?
 

Is it normal that my 82 300TD has faster acceleration in reverse than it does in 1st gear? It's takes the same amount of time for me to go 0-20 as it does 20-60. Can't be normal.... or can it??

I think they all start off in second gear, if you mash the pedal down and hit the kickdown switch it should start off in 1st. OR you could put it in "L" and try that. Someone who knows this for sure will chime in.

2nd gear start is a 722.1 thing (81 & before I think).

Reverse is often lower gear compared to first, depending on the year or something.

But yeah, something seems wrong. I suggest adjusting the ALDA.

To get a full power take off with my 85 300D, I have to start in L, then I bump it up to the next gear at 4000 rpm. It does pretty decent then.

I "serviced" the ALDA once recently (meaning I simply opened up the lines and banjo bolt and cleaned them). What else can be done with it?

There is no need to "hit the kickdown switch" to cause the 2-1 downshift when "moving off."

It is also a 722.3 "thing."

Why would the ALDA operate differently in reverse as compared to a forward gear? (Which is not to say that adjusting the ALDA isn't a good idea.)

5.67 reverse gear vs 4.25 forward: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/1886212-post6.html.
Nothing to do with the ALDA, but defenitely will accelerate faster.

Ahh I see. It certainly FEELS like reverse is TWICE as fast as 1st gear... nothing official though.

So what's the best way to adjust the ALDA? Won't any ALDA adjustments effect all gears?

Adjusting the alda increases the pre-turbo-boost fuel delivery. There's a (delicate) adjusting screw under a tamper cap on top of it.

You can search for more on it. Here's a thread:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/97273-wow-alda-adjustment-makes-night-day-difference.html

I recently adjusted the ALDA on my SD, it now starts off in first gear.

It should start in second gear, then downshift to first under load.

Until I adjusted the ALDA the car was never in first gear. Is that normal?

None of ours do....the diesels all have first gear start. The gasser takes off in 2nd.

Now should I be concerned at all with the little valve on the firewall that the ALDA lines connect to? I've also seen people talking about "boost" and "wastegate" stuff... should I ignore these other potential failures and just de-flower my little black ALDA cap?

^^That is the overboost protection switch over valve, mine is hooked up in the SD. Make sure it's cleaned up.