If anyone can help me...my 83 240 D is an automatic tranny with 121K and it won't shift unless I let off the gas each time. It is worse when I tromp on it, but is still bad when easing into it. It feels like I have a standard, without a clutch. It has been suggested to me that it's a vacuum problem. I have NO IDEA about the vacuum system, and I don't want to get taken at the garage. I was thinking about replacing the tranny but don't want to if it can be fixed cheaper. I have already changed the filter and tranny fluid. Any help or suggestion would be appreciated.

This is possibly a loss of vacuum at the modulator.
Would you be able to check to see if there is any vacuum at the vacuum hose at the modulator?
If there isn't, or if it is very weak, it is probably a plugged vacuum port on the vacuum line that runs to the brake booster. If memory serves, the metered port is the one more towards the front, you will see the vac line run towards the fuel injection pump, then branch off and one part of this branch runs to the vacuum modulator on the trans. You can carefully remove the vacuum hose from the brake booster hose and see if there is any significant vacuum there with the engine running. If not, the professional thing to do is replace the booster line, but you could also carefully try to clean out the port, maybe with a larger gauge paper clip. You just want to clean it, you don't want to make it larger than it was originally, because this is a metered orifice and is supposed to be a particular size hole.
Gilly

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Thanks for the feedback. I am hearing similar things. You have been more specific and that's very helpful.