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  #1  
Old 04-20-2004, 12:41 AM
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Question Which turbo to choose for rebuild?

So we are proceeding with the rebuild. We just got the engine back from the machine shop today, and I guess it's now time to start putting it all back together!

A question....

The engine we have been rebuilding is from a 1981 300TD. The car it is going in to is a 1985 300TD. Mostly the same, but there are some differences in the lines (vacuum and electrical). This question is regarding the turbo. The 1985 turbo has vacuum line coming off it (going to where, God only knows), the 1981 does not. The 1985 turbo has a lot higher mileage on it than the 1981, so it would seem best to choose the 1981, but is that vacuum line important? What's the best way around this? I have been told they are not interchangeable, but we also have both a 1981 and 1985 transmission. The 81 had low miles, but the 1985 was rebuilt 2 yrs ago. What would you do?

The 1985 turbo with mystery vacuum line:


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Which turbo to choose for rebuild?-1985.jpg  
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Old 04-20-2004, 12:42 AM
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The 1981 turbo, sans the plate and line...
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  #3  
Old 04-20-2004, 12:54 AM
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If the vacuum fitting in the 85 turbo is on the compressor housing (duh, where else would it be), possibly into a device held to the compressor housing with 3 bolts, it's probably the vacuum line for the air recirculation valve actuator. The ARV functions to smoothen the onset of boost (why?) and maybe some emissions function as well. Some folks will admit and a whole bunch won't that they've disabled their ARV.

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Old 04-20-2004, 06:49 PM
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Check out this link.

emissions swap...part one

Scroll down to where I show the two turbos. The one off my '85 looked like yours with the vacuum connections. I ditched that one and installed the turbo from the '81. The two vacuum lines are just hanging there on my car. I never plugged them and the car runs great.
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  #5  
Old 04-20-2004, 06:56 PM
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Sixto.

For offroad use only,we put it back on when
we drive on public streets.
Yeah,right.

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  #6  
Old 04-20-2004, 10:46 PM
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My vote is for the early (un-adulterated) one. The vac lins can be attached together or accidently find themselves clogged with a return line plug. Whoops.
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Old 04-20-2004, 11:55 PM
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Thanks guys! Hubby would prefer to use the 1981 parts as much as possible. As you put it TomJ, the unadulterated version. Another reason is the mileage was about half on the 1981 than on the 1985, so it seems that it should have more life left. But he wants to be sure there will be no ill effect in doing so.

vwbuge, if I read your signature right, you did exactly what we are doing? You put a 1981 motor in to a 1985 car? Can I ask you some questions about that? (or anyone else who wants to chime in). These are some differences we've noted, which year's part would/did you use?

The 1985 has 2 temp sensors, 1981 has one.

There are electrical wires going to the throttle linkage on the 1985, the 81 has only vacuum lines.

What about the diesel injectors? Interchangeable?

For those of you who have found emission lines 'accidently plugged', are you in an area that has emission testing, and do you have any difficulty passing?

The transmission on the 1985 has some extra line going to it, and I think the plate is a bit different. Which would you chose... the 1985 tranny that was rebuilt 2 yrs ago, or the 1981 that has about 140K miles? If we go with 1981 for everything else, should we use the 1981 tranny too?

Thanks again! We're starting to get close now. Whooo hooo!
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Old 04-20-2004, 11:57 PM
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Injectors are the same and the transmissions are married to their respective injection pumps.
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Old 04-21-2004, 12:46 AM
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Sorry GermanStar, I did mean to ask about the injection pump . I'm glad you knew what I meant, and answered anyway. :p So maybe it's best to stick with the 1981 tranny, even though the 1985 was rebuilt?
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Old 04-21-2004, 07:31 AM
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Quote:
Injectors are the same and the transmissions are married to their respective injection pumps.
Why would the transmission be married to transmission. I never see a reference to a particular tranny whenever an injection pump is for sale. (Or bought for that matter)

I'd used the rebuild tranny.
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Old 04-21-2004, 08:30 AM
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I think this is one of those questions which should be directed to the people who actually rebuild the turbos.... are some better candidates for rebuild ? Are the two you are choosing from in equal shape with regards to the things which do not get redone... ie, the fins, balance, etc.... .
Are the costs of the rebuild kits the same for each model ? Is the quality of the rebuild kit the same for both ? There are several places in Texas which rebuild them.. and we have feedback from the people who used them.... One of which is in the Waco area I believe.... a search will find those who have used them already...
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Old 04-21-2004, 09:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by leathermang
I think this is one of those questions which should be directed to the people who actually rebuild the turbos.... are some better candidates for rebuild ? Are the two you are choosing from in equal shape with regards to the things which do not get redone... ie, the fins, balance, etc.... .
Are the costs of the rebuild kits the same for each model ? Is the quality of the rebuild kit the same for both ? There are several places in Texas which rebuild them.. and we have feedback from the people who used them.... One of which is in the Waco area I believe.... a search will find those who have used them already...
When I rebuilt the Triple-K and the Garrett, I could find Garrett parts off the shelf, the Triple-K parts would have to be ordered from Germany and cost. The parts for the Garrett I think ran about $28 total for the bearings and seals/gaskets. Finally found T-K parts, but they were about $60.
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1984 300D Turbo - 4-speed manual conversion, mid-level resto

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1979 300TD Auto - Parts car.

1985 300D Auto - Wrecked/Parts.


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Old 04-21-2004, 10:31 AM
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leathermang, TomJ, we are not looking to rebuild the turbo, just deciding which type from which year would work best. We know the turbo from the 1981 works, but have no such knowledge on the 1985 since we were never able to get the car started. I assume it works (but maybe I shouldn't), but it does have 385K miles on it. Which is why we are leaning towards using the 1981, but want to know what, if any, consequences there are in doing so. Sounds like none.
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Old 04-21-2004, 10:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by mplafleur
Why would the transmission be married to transmission. I never see a reference to a particular tranny whenever an injection pump is for sale. (Or bought for that matter)

I'd used the rebuild tranny.
1985 W123 diesels take a different transmission and a different injection pump than the earlier ones (81 - 84). There are vacuum valves and lines that run between the injection pump and transmission that are unique to the '85. Hence the two parts are married to each other. Either transmission can be used, as long as the corresponding injection pump is also used.
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  #15  
Old 04-21-2004, 10:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by mplafleur
Why would the transmission be married to transmission.
It's actually illegal in Canada for a transmission to marry it's own transmission. :p I think there are some states in the south where this is allowed though.

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