I started to fabricate the blank off plate for the lift pump on my 1984 300D, firts I removed the one from the 1985 300SD to use as a template for the mounting holes for my 300D. When I removed the one from the SD, what seem to look like oil started to come of the cavity. Is there lubricating oil from the crankcase traveling through the IP?

Anyone have a diagram on how the oil flow through these engine (617)?

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1984 300D, 1972 LT1 Corvette, 2014 Artic White 3LT/Z51 C7, 2013 650i Convertible BMW, 1994 Kawasaki Vulcan, 1992 Yamaha Seca II and 1996 Dodge Ram 2500.

Yes.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

The Oil Goes into the Fuel Injection Pump through that Plastic skinny Plastic Line that is on the outside that goes from the Engine BlockBlock to the Fuel Injection Pump.
Once the Oil get inside of the Fuel Injection Pump it just hoses into the Fuel Injection Pump sump area. It is not pressure lubed like a Crank Shaft.

The Camshaft Bearings and Governor are partly submerged in the Oil and the same with the Camshaft Lobes when the Lobe high points are pointing down. Sort of splash lubrication.

The Oil drains out of the Front of the Fuel Injection Pump by gravity. However, it is set up so that the drain is above the bottom of the Fuel Injection Pump and there is always a pool of Oil in the bottom of the Fuel Injection Pump.

In the Mercedes Service Manual when you install a New or Rebuilt Fuel Injection Pump there is a Plug to unscrew in the side of the Governor Housing for you to dump in X amount of Oil so that it is not dry when you first start the Engine.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

If I get this correctly, if I fabricate the blank off plate for the lift with a 1/2 fitting to accept a hose to return the oil to the crankcase via the IP. The oil should drain back into the oil pan, I guess it is another way of getting oil to the IP for lubrication from the centrifuge filter.

I have an extra lift pump, I was thinking of cutting it up leaving only the mounting flange as the usable material and welding on a fitting to the flange.

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1984 300D, 1972 LT1 Corvette, 2014 Artic White 3LT/Z51 C7, 2013 650i Convertible BMW, 1994 Kawasaki Vulcan, 1992 Yamaha Seca II and 1996 Dodge Ram 2500.

If you remove the pump piston and associated components, you could use an existing fuel port for the return and plug the remaining ports. No welding necessary.

OK, you caught me there I had to re-read this to understand that you wanted to use the Plate to return the Oil from they Centrifugal Oil Filter. The answer is yes.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

If you remove the large 30mm (or is it 32mm) Plug from the Lift Pump you can pull out the Spring and Piston.
Remove the Roller and Tappet fron the Lift Pump and the 5mm Push Rod.

After the above your Oil should go out of the Hole th 5mm Rod was in.

I like the replacement Plate idea better. Too many Holes on the Lift pump to deal with.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel