Some differences between an 85 and earlier W123 are: Different differential being numerically lower, Different ring gear: the difference is 11 vs 9 teeth and thus the double reduction starter won't work on it. Actually we ordered it and tried it on W Hunters 85 W126 which has the same situation as the W123 ring gear. Sure it installed ok but it just wouldn't mesh with the ring gear. We pulled it out and compared the starter gears and it looked a little funny... They didn't have the same number of teeth on the starter gears... between the starter we pulled off and the starter we tried to put on. However, we were able to mate up the double reduction starter to a 617 on a stand... but it was an earlier engine. So if you change engines... make sure you keep the starter with the engine if you are crossing into the 85 era.

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Pete Williams, President emeritus - MBCA-International Stars (Eastern Mich.) Now Wi. & Az.
1985 300D Manual 4 speed Green Hen's tooth
1979 MGB triple black Az car nice
1969 back 1/2 of MGB (Az home built trailer)
1991 Volvo 245 Wagon Nice AZ Restored Gold Brick
1983 Jeep CJ7 37,600 Miles Summer use only

I have an early 85 model that came with the lower 3.07:1 gear set.It spins the same rpm at 70mph as my 84...Bummer! I thought it was going to have the higher gear ratio.

Did you mean the 1985s all have this tach amp here behind the interior passenger kick panel?

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1990 300D 2.5Turbo, two tank WVO, daily driver 300,911
1992 E300 gaser, 150k. Parts only, For Sale

[B]1984 300TD Euro 4speed Sold
1977 300D Elsbett SVO single tank Sold
1981 300TD "Silver bullet" 285k ran B100 Sold
1981-5 300D x 5 cars stripped and reused, parts for sale

Other toys:
1995 Dodge 2500 Cummins 12V P7100 Bosch mechanical pump with 2 tank veggieconversion kit, only 120k!
1959 Cadillac Dad's legacy, needs finishing

Yes, it really isn`t just the tach amp, many signals are sent to it, but it is mainly to operate the EGR.

Here is a page from the 671 swap into the SL project, this diagram shows how the components are laid out.
#80 circled in red is the black box behind the Passenger kick panel.

380SL Diesel Conversion Project

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Had a mini panic attack while reading this thread with regard to ring gear and starter differences. I am in the middle of a manual transmission swap into my 85 300TD and I got the flywheel from the donor car, but not the starter. I went to the garage and fortunately found 140 teeth on both the flex plate that came with the automatic transmission and the manual transmission flywheel. Disaster averted (I hope...).

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1985 Euro 300TD Turbo

What has the starter got to do with the Differential Ring Gear?

When I installed the 4-spd trans from a 240D, and installed the FW from an 82 240 to replace the 85 FW, I used the same starter. every thing works fine.

This is the first I have heard there is a different starter to fit the 85.
Now the Calif 85 uses a different starter, because the solenoid was moved to the bottom to clear the Trap Oxidizer.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Can someone confirm for me a 85 FED starter will fit and work on my 85 CA 300TD with a trap oxidizer bypass pipe installed. Has someone done a confirmed installation. Thanks