Boneyards...Newbie needs advice
 

1982 300D 200K+

Had my first experience at a boneyard today...very scary but educational. Fascinating to see what is under the dash! Found an instrument cluster from an 81 300D, door actuators (vacuum leaks though), etc. Thought I would grab any bits and pieces I might find useful for future projects and for my education. It was great being able to grab nuts, screws, bolts etc. which might be hard to find at the local hardware store. Got some wood trim pieces also. They charged me a flat $100 for basically all I could cary.

Any advice as to what to grab next time I go?

The engines/transmissions were pretty torn up, but the bodies looked ok. Even grabbed what I think was a cruise control computer from under the dash and some other silver boxes which I think are relays but don't know.

Will look for members also.

Thanks for a great board!

Mr Goodfahrt (formerly Fermenteer)

OUr pick and pull sometimes has a sale: All you can carry $29.95. They mark out a course about 30 feet long and you have to carry it that far. I have seen guys chain an engine block on one end of a 10ft four by four and a tranny and other odds and ends on the other. They then find their strongest buddy to get in the middle of that 4x4 and stagger down the 30 foot course until he collapses at the other end. It's worth the $1 admission to the yard just to watch.

One retro-upgrade you might look for...... older style headrests - the nifty old curved ones - instead of modern round ones that are probably on your '82 300D.

Headrests can be removed by pushing on seat backs, locating press/release catch inside the seat back while pulling headrest up with the other hand.

Whenever I'm at the boneyard am constantly looking for shiney "new" appearing parts........ stuff like injectors that previous owner might have replaced.

Also, check the spare tire compartments for original MB tool kits.... and glove boxes for original parts catalogues.

One more thing is those little rubber caps that fit over hydraulic bleed nipples.

Great tips... also got some literature...
 

Also I picked up the 1981 300D manual with supplements, and a MB Parts catalogue of some kind. It didn't have a date on it, but said it was the "E" parts catalogue. It has exploded views of everything in the car (really neat!!) with part numbers, but no descriptions. Is this valuable?

Why don't you scan a page and let everyone here look at it? Somebody here may be able to figure out what model/year book you have.