For future readers, I'd recommend also paying attention to things like wheel bearings and tires. Highway trips are about the easiest miles one can put on a car, with the exception of things like bearings and tires.

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

The dealer got him a set.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Nice job vstech....above and beyond the call of duty...er moderator.

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'89 260e (212K Mi.), '92 400e (208K Mi.), '92 400e (not a misprint) (146K Mi.), '95 C220, '81 240D--Sold

John, thank you. Luckily I made it without having to dig into that kit. It was good piece of mind. The sheet lug bolts was a good save.

The car did very well. Though, I am going to try and secure an upper rad hose before I go too far, Wednesday.

I've got pictures to post. Phone is being difficult. I'll get them up in the morning. Now for some sleep. Thanks, everyone.

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"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light." - Groucho Marx

I picked up a souvenir in Charlotte, unfortunately it only comes in one color (see first photo). John had made the call for me at the local South Charlotte Mercedes dealer to see if they had the lug bolts. They said Northlake had the bolts which was perfectly on my way.

I realize now how the mix-up occurred. This was my only driver and all the rubber in the front end was wearing out causing it to eat through the outer edge of the tire. So, I stole a tire off the '77. After I got the suspension redone this spring, I got new tires and switched them back.

John and I talked briefly about the gear ratios through the years and how the '85 would do at what speeds. See the photo for a flat-ground example going down the high way. 80 mph was at 3,500 rpm.

So, with my new lug bolts and trash bag in-tow, I continued on, staring at my temp gauge almost as closely as the road in front of me. The cracking expansion tank had me less worried than the bulging radiator hose, with it's thin spot on the bottom.

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"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light." - Groucho Marx

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on it but if you're interested there are speed calculators on the Interwebs that easily calculate speed from RPM. You'll need the final drive ratio (rear gear in this case, of course) as well as the high gear ratio (probably 1:1 for your car), tire diameter (Tire Rack has a big file of these if you don't have it - mine are 23" and 28" depending on which set I have mounted) and, of course, RPM. LSR racers use these a lot so we don't drive past the speed for which we're tech'd (many, like me, don't have a speedo).

Fun trip!

Dan

Here's the only real glamour shot I took. Maybe on the way back down, I'll catch a few more with the DSLR. This is the rest area I decided to switch from shorts to pants. It's around 21* F here in Flint, MI. I am anticipating the morning crank, it's one test ol' Judy hasn't had yet.

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"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light." - Groucho Marx

Same color as mine! Kids call it Inner banana yellow...

Excellent progress and super support from this forum community!
Glad you have had no real troubles.

Just found your thread. The mountains of NC may be out of reach this unexpected trip, but anytime you can tour this way plan on catching up with me

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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

Same color as my 240D too, I like "Inner Banana Yellow"

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

I just barely missed the sun ominously poking from behind the clouds at a rest stop in Ohio. Would have made for a better photo.



These next four are taken at a spot I used to hang out at as a teenager when I lived up there in Midland, MI. Thought it would make for some nice photos.









I made it home around 11:00 today. Slept in the car at a rest stop near Mt. Airy, NC. Yesterday, I tried securing a upper radiator hose (thanks, PARSHOOT1 and dieselpaul!) Paul didn't have one, but recommended trying NAPA in Columbus and they had one! I drove on the old hose for a little bit, then once it got dark I did the job at a rest stop. Cost $25 and rubs on the AC line but it was totally worth it for me. I'll pick up an MBZ one on my next pelicanparts order.

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"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light." - Groucho Marx

Great job. Thanks for the pics.

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Current Stable

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

Always nice to see members help each other with advices & actual help. Only thing you can do repay is help each other when you see somebody in need. Doesn't have to be a Mercedes enthusiast or not.. Nice car by the way..

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'76 300D
'82 230CE
'84 300DT
'91 300D 2.5
'86 300D 5 speed
'86 250D 5 speed
'90 300E 24v
'88 560SEC
300TE euro 5 speed
91 350SD
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