just got my first mb. 1982 300sd. 244,000 miles. ex-police drug siezure car. been impounded and setting for 3+ years. its a 20 footer,to much rust to restore,but it still looks good and has a very nice interior. will make a good driver.
first problem is a harsh (neck snapping) 1-2 shift. all other shifts seem ok. no slipping.
second is very low power starting out when cold,very slow till turbo comes in.
third is that the cruise control surges constantly .
any help ,advice, procedures, etc, will be appreciated.

thanks,tom.

Since you have an isolated harsh 1st to 2nd up shift, it could be a valve body related problem, a broken B1 accumulator spring, leaking check ball.

found a broken 3/2 way valve . dumped all vacuum as soon as the throttle was opened, so the modulator was not getting any vac. as best i can tell this only works the egr valve, so i plugged the supply line to it therefor restoring variable vac. to the modulator. i think the line that goes from the 3/2 way to the t on the side of the bleed valve is a vent line,but i'm not sure . this improved shift quality, but i think it would be better if i had more than 12 in. vac to the modulator at idle. at 3/4 throttle there is 2 in. may need new bleed valve. main vac is 18. tom

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toy list:
82 300sd----244000 miles
98 dodge ram quad cab 4X4----190000 miles
93 buick lesabre----216000 miles
71 pontiac lemans sport--tmu

There is still something else leaking with that low a pressure versus what is on the main vacuum line. Look on the drivers side of the injection pump toward the rear. See that thing with the vacuum lines coming into it. That can be used to kinda adjust the vacuum signal to the tranny. Pry off the round plastic cover and you will see an adj with lock nut. I don't remember which way to turn. Turn 1/8-1/4 turn at a time. It does not take much. Play around with it and you can see it change the range of the vacuum.

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Jim

where on that valve is the cover that you remove? don't want to risk breaking it, costs $170 on fastlane. they must be proud of that chunk of plastic! tom

__________________
toy list:
82 300sd----244000 miles
98 dodge ram quad cab 4X4----190000 miles
93 buick lesabre----216000 miles
71 pontiac lemans sport--tmu

figured it out , cover is behind vent line and adj. is on the end of the shaft. raised vac to modulator to 16 at idle, had great 1-2 shift,but flared on 2-3. tweaked vac down til i found a spot that i can livewith, still a little strong 1-2 ,fair 2-3. is there any thing else that would help?
also on the no power problem, cleaned out overboost protection valve , and adjusted alda ccw 2 turns. now it will at least get out of its own way and leave a little black smoke. have about 10 pounds boost max, is this enough? thanks for the help, tom

__________________
toy list:
82 300sd----244000 miles
98 dodge ram quad cab 4X4----190000 miles
93 buick lesabre----216000 miles
71 pontiac lemans sport--tmu