I have a 1980 300SD with the 617.95 engine, and for the second time since I have owned this vehicle, the mechanical vacuum pump has failed. I would be interested in hearing from any owner or tech that has successfully switched over to an electrically-operated vacuum system on this type engine. I certainly do not relish the prospect of performing another R&R on the mechanical pump as arthritis has just about crippled me since I did the last replacement. Thanks in advance for any help with a parts list and installation suggestions.

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1980 300SD 146K miles.

I'm not sure if this has actually been done yet - funola was talking about it if I remember correctly...

EDIT:-

Yep here's the post:-

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/284848-vacuum-pump-alternatives-post2549732.html

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Finding the right vacuum volume pump would be the only pump issue.
Or you may want 2 pumps, one for the cabin, one for all else.
Im not sure about what should be done to the inblock pump.

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Found an Electric Vacuum Pump that I believe has enough volume to do the job. I drove around with it as the sole supplier of vacuum and everything worked normal.
However, my test was not conclusive because I had no vacuum Shutoff Switch, Check Valve or Relay to test it correctly. The Pump got too Hot running all of the time.

The other Electric Vacuum Pump suggested by Compress Ignite in the thread below was made for the job and has all of the electric goodies needed to regulate the Vacuum. However, it is an expensive Vacuum Pump.
The forums that have the most information on 12 Volt Vacuum Pumps are Electrical Vehicle (EV) Forums where people are converting regular Cars to Electric Power.
Here is my thread:
Electric Vacuum/Brake Booster Pump Tested

Having an Electric Vacuum Pump may also mean you need to get a higher amperage Alternator.
The question is Pay $350+ for an New Stock Vacuum Pump or pay $350+ for a new Electric Vacuum Pump.

If your AC is not working and you never plan to fixe it the other Alternative is to install a pulley driven Mechanical Vacuum Pump; a bunch on ebay. But, you would have to make the brackets and stuff.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel