Thanks to all the good advice. Helga Die Benz (My 13 and 11 year olds name for the old car.) Is now running a rock steady 85 degs through the New Mexico mountains with the ac on. A new Mercedes themostat, another citric acid flush, and finding the cross over pipe had some scale build up that took a soak in lime away and some prodding with a piece of electric fence wire. A good mornings work and the old girl is running great. Last on the list is to figure out the disaster of a vacuum system. But that is a post for another day.

Chuck.
83 W123 616 engine
Helga Die Benz

That's good news! Love it when a plan comes together...

__________________
My occupational hazard bein'
my occupation's just not around...
1980 300SD
1980 300SD

This needed to be posted on the end of whatever thread you had going...so people see ' the rest of the story ' to your original question...

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html