hehe... will try to itemize the procedure.
This is the 2nd time I've done this... I still do not like it! haha. but it is doable... took me 4 hrs.
I'm considering retro fitting a much simpler underdash unit... for easier future maintenance.
Any opinions?

__________________

85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project

Exactly my thought. My attitude is not so much as to keep the Benz in pristine factory condition, but upon breakage, look for a simpler option for replacement that would never have to be addressed again.

For example, A/C working fine in my car now, but if it ever stops working - it comes out entirely condenser grill and all. I only use A/C over maybe 2 months for maybe what 30 trips? So what's more important to me is heat. Need that all the time here.

If I was staring at this hole in the dash and wanted a heater, I'd look to putting a generic small truck add-on heater unit with its own heater core and a fan with a few settings, and duct its output to all dash and footwell ports, proportioned as "equally" as I could get it with bias on the windshield. I'd leave all the factory dash buttons in place but gut the automatic climate control features, and simply hook up the fan switch behind some buttons. When done, couldn't tell for looking at it. Operation would be rock solid, simple, and probably never fail again.

e.g. http://www.princessauto.com/trailer/truck/winter/heating/4240004-21000-btu-12v-auxiliary-heater

or a few of these:

http://www.princessauto.com/trailer/truck/winter/heating/4240007-3425-btu-12v-auxiliary-heater

__________________
Cheers!
Scott McPhee

1987 300D

Locry,

Now that your HVAC unit is out perhaps you could help me.

I've been trying to find where there units draw air when in full recirc mode. Obviously the fresh air draw is through the front (towards the hood). But when the 'vacuum-actuated pods' are set in the recirc mode the unit draws air from the interior of the car.

Would you look over your unit and tell me (photo would be great) where they air when in recirc mode?

Thanks.

sjh

Hehe, yup I agree completely! That's the plan...SIMPLIFY! I'm also gonna keep the original switches... the fan rotary switch and the a/c on/off will be hidden in the glovebox(probably)

__________________

85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project

Vintage air in San Antonio is the top aftermarket retrofit outfit