Well I finally did it. After months of lurking around here and on CL I bought an 1983 240D auto. I'm mostly getting this car to have a project for me and my 12 year old to work on the next couple of years so we can both learn about these legendary cars. I'm going to enjoy it as a daily driver for my commutes until he is old enough to take the keys.

I'm going to be active here searching and asking for tips and I'll try to keep posting pictures of each job we do. I hope I can provide an interesting perspective as a complete MB Diesel newbie. First job on the list is the shifter bushings which should arrive Friday.

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These make excellent project cars, lol. Congrats on the purchase.

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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

Sounds like you've got a good plan. The results will be rewarding. Before you do much work on the car, pull the carpets out and park it under a running sprinkler for a couple of hours. If you have any water intrusion, then that should be your priority (assuming that it runs), and this is the time of the year to get those things fixed.

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'79 240D

Looks like a nice car. Paint may do good with a nice buffing.

I'm a sucker for a w123 and found a euro 300D nearby that I'm thinking about buying but may be destined as a parts car sadly

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*1985 300CD, 214K miles, Pearl Black/Palomino MB Tex-Stuck in FL
*1985 300D, Smoke Silver/Palomino MB Tex, 280K miles--Dad's car--Sold May 2015
*2014 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI Premium Pkg, Platnium Grey w/Black VW Tex- Dad's new car- 55k
*2017 Chevy Cruze LT Diesel, Silver w/Black leather, 26k miles, brother's new car
*2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 Crew Cab, Pepperdust w/Black leather, 15k miles, my new ride

Looking good. Be sure to fill out your profile.

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

4 speed swap!

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Yeah, the only real drawback on the auto is it is dog poop slow.....that said I'd probably not change it if all is working correctly.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I live in Florida and this car was outside for quite a while so subject to daily thunderstorms where 1"-3" of rain is typical. The main rust is where water collects. The worst rust is the hood hinge pockets (makeshift compost heaps). The bottom hinge mounts are rusted through and the spring mount is gone on the passenger side. The upper part of the hinge is secure so when the hood is closed it's solid. But the springs and hinges are not really functional.

Otherwise the rust isn't too bad as far as I can tell. I haven't pulled the seats out but under the carpet looks pretty intact. I'm sure I'll have to address it at some point as the interior needs work, especially the drivers seat.

It's beginning to sound like you've got a parts car. Take out the battery tray and see what lurks behind it.

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'79 240D

Not necessarily if you can do metal work and weld.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

The point of this car is to learn and make mistakes. I have reliable cars when needed. I need to learn bodywork but I have welded and I have friends that are professional welders and machinists. We shall see.

Welcome to the forum!!!!

If I can get my old diesel in good running condition (with the help of this fabulous forum!)
Anyone can do it!!

Most everything is rebuildable, so dont throw out your calipers, alternator or starter!

Many of the guys and gals here have plenty of parts to trade and sell, plus Pelican parts is
nice enough to sponsor this great place So use them when you can!!

Most of the guys love the Por-15 for rust, check inside your door cards for rust and por-15 the heck out of them! Trunk wells, hinge pockets, under the Battery tray.

Post your adventures!!

Oh YES!!!

Look up Pierre Hedary in Titusvile
He is the OLD MB GURU!!
Works on nothing newer than a 95 Mercedes
I understand he works in his shop barefoot!!
LOVE IT!! Thats why I moved to florida!

Get a good chemical mask for you and your son when you start doing any welding, as you will be burning vinyl, which is collected in every nook and cranny

Also keep a spray bottle handy with water to put out the numerous small vinyl fires. If you leand to do body work on one of these cars, others will be a treat later on

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

This X1000

My 77 240D started its life as an auto and when my transmission started giving me troubles I swapped it for a 4 speed manual. Its a direct bolt in swap.