What are you worried about.....?

EMP....? (Electro-Magnetic-Pulse)
--IE, a Mega Strong pulse of Radio waves....

Things like Starters, Wiper/window motors, wiring and lead-acid batteries are not adversely affected by EMP....

IF it was strong and serious enough to affect these items--Believe me, EMP and loss of yer wipers or window-motors would be the Very Last thing on your mind!!

Its Mainly (Only) SEMICONDUCTORS, (Chips, Transistors, Diodes etc) that are killed by EMP.

EMP (apart from possible Alternator damage) Wouldn't affect any mechanically pumped M.B. engine.....

If its Zombies--Well, Thats a Different Matter--Yer on yer own with that problem!:D

Charlie,

Thanks for the info. It sounds like it should not be hard to install a large amp switch for a manual jump. When you said "if the fuel is flowing", i am not sure if the IP is directly driven off of the engine being cranked, and if that creates the fuel pressure needed to fire it up. Is there a separate circuit that i must engage or power to get the IP to supply fuel needed to start?

Thanks,

I disagree. A strong EMP or solar bombardment would impart a massive voltage spike on any electrical device overloading the insulation on the coils.
similar to the damage from a lightning strike only on a broader span...

VsTech,

So would i be best off to start pulling fuses (after the event) and hope to get it started hoping the battery is in good shape? Could i manually apply 12v or wire the glow plugs to heat up (another bypass) to aid in getting it to fire up? I don't care about most accessory items in the car, and only want to make it to my destination.

Here you go--

Electromagnetic Pulse - EMP Myths - futurescience.com

W124 too new?
 

Looking around in my area, i am finding a W124 1995 E300d for sale. It is exactly what i had a few years ago, and i am wondering if the same original question also applies to it? Is it a decade too new to be able to fire it up manually, if stuff got fried?

Yes

If you wanted to get a MB diesel that was perfect from the point of view of survivability, you must go with the 170D 180D 190Db and 190Dc. No transistors at all-- even in the glow plug circuit. The W115 vehicles with OM615 engines have a NSS and a diode-equipped voltage regulator, but the generator in the earlier models can be made to fit.

So get a 220D, jump out the NSS and replace the alternator with a generator.

Keep those GP circuit wires and contacts clean. That's the biggest single issue.

Also-- install a block heater and buy yourself a large pan in which you put hot coals. Cover with a heavy screen and you have a non-electric block heater for emergencies.

Better than the Mongolian version shown below

I think a '95 E300 can be modified / protected to be operable after an EMP event. Just like the earlier MB diesels, the fuel injection and braking systems are mechanical, all you need to be able to figure out is starting the engine.

Maybe you could suspend a large weight on a cable, and figure a method to transfer the kinetic energy of the weight falling into torque to rotate the motor. Another possibility would be a starter motor that uses compressed air, and some crude way to compress air.

Here's an example of an air starter:

Air starter is small in size, big on power | Other Components content from Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Thanks, great stuff there!

Of course you might be able to rig up a "shotgun" starter, aka Coffman starter - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffman_engine_starter

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=65qrzgbTTcQ

Or perhaps more apropos to a diesel forum

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VEurohAwrmA

got a 240D, now to modify
 

So i purchased a little gem of a 240d for only $1750. 1981 manual 4 speed, trans with manual windows, AC and no sunroof. Engine is in good shape and I am now going to be looking to install the manual engine push button to get it to start from the engine bay. I am still wondering if this is even necessary, as was mentioned earlier by others. It appears the ignition activates battery to starter directly.

I think by finding this very basic 240d, i wont need to do anything really. correct me if i am wrong.

all you need to do now is drive it & enjoy!

Glad you're back in a Benz. The e300d is running great. 85k on her now ;)

i might be tempted to stop by in Austin sometime just to see the e300d. i miss that car as well. what parts do you have available?

it looks like i want to upgrade my secondary fuel filter housing to gen 2, and need a donor vehicle from 83 to 85. looking for other parts as well.