Finally, an intro to the 300TD manual project. - Page 9 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

crazy4diesel · #**121** 09-02-2017, 08:24 PM

I ended up doing my seat refurbishing project inside the house, as it was at least something I could get done on the car in the heat way we are enduring in Southern CA. It's been 105 where I am in the day, and 85 at night for the past week. So, my living room ended up being my work shop.

I separated the seat bottoms from the backrest, as it's much easier to work with them, and it's not to bad to put them back together, though with a second person, maybe slightly easier to line up the bolts and pull the hinges together a bit to thread the bolt.

The thing I found with the plastic pieces is to get a round quarter inch dowel, behind the clip as close to the clip as you can get it and give it a pop with a hammer. Just gently pulling from all around, you'll fracture the brittle 35 years sunbaked plastic somewhere (ask me how I know).

Don't you love finding funny mystery pieces of paper inside old car part! The pink paper was just sitting inside the backrest, I have no idea what it's for.

ROLLGUY · #**122** 09-02-2017, 11:01 PM

Todd, having been at your place, and seeing the pile of parts awaiting assembly, I have an appreciation for what you are going through to get the car back on the road! I also admire your craftsmanship, having seen it personally. I have seen a lot of DIY paint jobs, and I have to say that I have not seen a better one elsewhere. Also, the paintwork on your Rabbit pickup is superb in my opinion, and I was very impressed. Especially since both were done in a garage!
I can't wait to see the wagon when it is finished. I am sure it will be stunning. Keep up the good work!

crazy4diesel · #**123** 09-04-2017, 12:35 PM

Thanks much Rich! I really appreciate the compliments on the paint. Considering the Rabbit was the first vehicle I've ever painted, and the Mercedes is the second one. One thing I learned was your first paint job should probably not be a very difficult tri-stage product!

Seeing you take away the German spec brown car was both a relief and also sad, I loved driving that slow beast. Before I ripped it apart, that thing would just start up and drive off no matter how long it had been sitting. Granted it didn't drive off anywhere very quickly, with that NA engine, at least it had the manual. Which of course is now in my originally ivory, and now blue-green pearl, US spec turbo car.

And thanks for the metal clip you pulled and sent back to me too. The biggest fear I still have is getting rid of the donor car too soon, but your assurance of getting pieces I might need really made that an easy decision. The other problem, I didn't expect was putting my car back together, sometimes I could really use that car to see how things go back on. LOL

The Rabbit Pickup sold on Ebay, for $6,500 I wanted closer to $7K but, it's a soft used car market these days, and despite 59 watchers on Ebay listing, only had two actual bidders. I've posted some pics of the Rabbit for those who are curious. I hope that's not a violation as this isn't a Mercedes diesel, but it is a diesel all the same, all 52hp of it! LOL

ROLLGUY · #**124** 09-04-2017, 12:48 PM

The photos are great, thanks. I am sure the buyer will be very happy with it. I know your wagon will probably not be done by next weekend, so you will miss the gathering in Long Beach. It will probably be the largest gathering of Mercedes-Benz vehicles ever. If you get a chance to be there, please do so, even if you don't bring an MB.......Rich

crazy4diesel · #**125** 09-04-2017, 01:11 PM

That sounds incredible, I'd love to attend, (and no my car won't be done) but I'll be headed to the Frankfurt auto show, and then on to Munich to visit some friends, and then Moscow just for the heck of it.

I was glad to hear old brown will live on, when your friend gets him put back together.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

The photos are great, thanks. I am sure the buyer will be very happy with it. I know your wagon will probably not be done by next weekend, so you will miss the gathering in Long Beach. It will probably be the largest gathering of Mercedes-Benz vehicles ever. If you get a chance to be there, please do so, even if you don't bring an MB.......Rich

ROLLGUY · #**126** 09-04-2017, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy4diesel

That sounds incredible, I'd love to attend, (and no my car won't be done) but I'll be headed to the Frankfurt auto show, and then on to Munich to visit some friends, and then Moscow just for the heck of it.

I was glad to hear old brown will live on, when your friend gets him put back together.

I am envious! Although I visited the Mercedes-Benz museum just this May, a full-on auto show in Europe sounds way cool. I too have friends near Frankfurt (Mainz), and visited them while I was there. Enjoy your time, and please post photos!

crazy4diesel · #**127** 09-04-2017, 02:02 PM

I tweet from the auto shows I attend (Frankfurt, Tokyo, Geneva, Paris, Detroit, Chicago, NY, LA). I don't tweet much at any other times.

If anyone wants to follow me my twitter is @CarsTodd

Rich, do you have a thread on your 300D 4x4 project?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I am envious! Although I visited the Mercedes-Benz museum just this May, a full-on auto show in Europe sounds way cool. I too have friends near Frankfurt (Mainz), and visited them while I was there. Enjoy your time, and please post photos!

ROLLGUY · #**128** 09-04-2017, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy4diesel

Rich, do you have a thread on your 300D 4x4 project?

No, not yet. I have all the parts (617 to AX15 adapter, Dana 300 TC, frame with Dana 44's, W123 body etc). I just have not had time to work on it. Getting the rebuilt engine in my wagon is ahead of the 4X4 project. I will do a build thread on the wagon when I start on it. I am hoping it will be soon, as I have all the other projects that were clogging my work space gone now.

crazy4diesel · #**129** 09-06-2017, 04:31 PM

So, started to dig out some parts and try to install them then found this on the rear window wiper motor, a broken casing. The brown donor car would have had one, but who knows where it is. Rich was nice enough to look but couldn't find it on the car, or in the car.

I'll see if I can repair it with flex epoxy.

crazy4diesel · #**130** 09-06-2017, 04:38 PM

Decided I needed to get a bunch of parts off the floor! So, started to put some of this stuff back together.

I'm running into a few problems though. By combining the US spec car, with it's center stack and switch plates, I'm not sure how I'll install the euro spec car AC controller. It's a big dial thing, that doesn't seem to be fitting anywhere. I know it used to go into the top panel, but how is beyond me.

crazy4diesel · #**131** 09-07-2017, 10:54 PM

I repaired the rear window wiper housing. Or, at least I hope I have, I tried twisting it pretty hard, and it seems rock solid. I used something called flexepoxy and a piece of metal with holes it, in hoping those help with the bonding. I degreased the surfaces, and mated them back together, and then put the support metal on the outside. We'll see I guess.

ROLLGUY · #**132** 11-16-2017, 07:15 PM

Todd brought his TD over today to finish hooking up the A/C and get it charged. He has been without an internet connection for a while (in between houses/states), so I will post some photos. The car is mostly finished, with only a few minor things to do. I have to say it looks really great! All the Brightwork (as they say on the other side of the pond) has been painted black (bronze?), and it looks awesome. The paint has been polished to perfection and looks stunning. He was able to purchase four new tires and wheels from Tire Rack- delivered for less than $900! What a great deal! This car turned out great, and I am happy for him.

ROLLGUY · #**133** 11-16-2017, 07:17 PM

At the A/C shop, and the wheels. The console with manual controls.

crazy4diesel · #**134** 02-14-2020, 03:51 PM

Hello everyone!!!!

First of all my apologies for vanishing again! As Rich alluded to I made a move from So CA to the Seattle area, and it was the move from hell. Since here I've been remodeling a house, pretty much like I did the car...everything.

I'll post some more pictures soon. But, I thought everyone would like to know I drove the car from Los Angeles to Seattle, over 2 days, and it performed flawlessly. I averaged about 31 MPG, and am convinced the car will even be better with the 2.88 rear end I bought from Rich, but still haven't installed.

ROLLGUY · #**135** 02-14-2020, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy4diesel

Hello everyone!!!!

First of all my apologies for vanishing again! As Rich alluded to I made a move from So CA to the Seattle area, and it was the move from hell. Since here I've been remodeling a house, pretty much like I did the car...everything.

I'll post some more pictures soon. But, I thought everyone would like to know I drove the car from Los Angeles to Seattle, over 2 days, and it performed flawlessly. I averaged about 31 MPG, and am convinced the car will even be better with the 2.88 rear end I bought from Rich, but still haven't installed.

I wondered what happened to you. By the way, my friend Blue travels from So. Oregon to So. Cal about every couple-three weeks. If you need anything ferried from here to there (or the other way around), please let me know. I can get you in touch with him......Rich