FS: 1977 300D with Elsbett, well restored

[NCfriend]

Alright guys, my for sale car ad at last.
May not have time to type all this in one sitting so I will edit or add details as I go through more service records and rack my brain. Pics coming too, as soon as I sort out the home computer gremlins

1977 (first year of w123 production) 300D Naturally aspirated (no EGR) 5 cylinder non-turbo diesel
215k almost, and about 50k of that with the Elsbett injectors and GN glow plugs but not always burning veggie oil. Starts easy, drives great
Auto transmission was rebuilt by a MB shop at 160k
Factory color English Red or what I call burnt orange, rust repairs and new paint 2012 (see details below) car had minor front corner damage in accident
Dark Blue 1984 interior swapped in
all electric windows working
no sunroof = no worries
vacuum locks disconnected, 2 keys work all locks including glovebox
working heat and defrost; Awful Chrysler servo has been pulled and entire heat box and climate control swapped over from a type II? manual 240D system. AC not completed but includes NEW receiver/dryer, high and low lines, York compressor, expansion valve and pressure switch. Car price will increase in the spring if I complete this install with a completely functional AC.

Newer tires with lifetime rotation/balance from Discount tire on 14x5.5 steel-look alloys wheels with freshly painted 5 hubcaps.
Alignment completed twice about 2 years ago

Most recent services:
Yesterday- Transmission fresh service, filter, fluid, new cooler lines and carrier bearing
Winter 2012- new battery, new mid-line body trim, new hirshman antenna, new fuel filters, newer rear door strap
Fall 2012- Brakes: all pads, turned all rotors, new rubber lines, vacuum flushed fluid, rebuilt all calipers and repacked front wheel bearings
valve adjustment and oil change
Summer 2012- rust-free clean front fenders, doors, and hood. Repair rust area behind passenger door with metal patch from a donor. Strip all trim off, sand and smooth body. Professional spray of new paint
Spring 2012- fuel system: filters, all rubber lines replaced cigar hose and all except injector returns, fuel strainer, donor 16 gallon virgin diesel tank cleaned and installed from a 240d. Diesel purge the IP and engine lines, acetone flush the hard lines, Startron the tank.
Winter 2011- new front windshield and seal, newer rear windshield and new seal, new trunk seal. clean donor headliner
Synthetic gear oil in differential
Fall 2011- new water pump, thermostat, coolant, added inline plug-in heater and newer BEHR radiator. Newer oil cooler. =all needed from accident
newer power steering pump, new filter and fluid.
new belts, modified alternator tension-er bolt. Added manual passenger-side mirror
Summer 2011- new voltage regulator, up-dated to yellow bosch fogs
Spring 2011- new Bilstein shocks all 4, complete swap from very-good 1984 blue interior, newer style seatbelts, newer interior door handles, new front door straps, newer upper control arms
Winter 2010- heater box/climate system swap for manual system from 240D. Best dash available at the time installed, has about 4 cracks

Still awaiting install:
Front and rear euro bumpers
21 gallon diesel fuel tank with excellent sending unit
New hood release cable
New rear sway bar links

also need to finish re-installing the bottom trim pieces after painting, but will get pics up sooner

There is likely alot more, so look for future posts.

With the body work and professional paint (same look as my avatar), I have to re-cop some of my investments
Asking $4,500 obo

I know there are many cheaper cars you DIYers will enjoy. This one is ready to ride the road now and I look forward to PMs with reasonable offers, interesting questions, and commentary of encouragement.

Bonus! delivery can be cheaply arranged in April any close proximity to I-40 all the way from NC to California

[NC-Diesel]

I can attest to the quality of this vehicle. Seen it up close myself!

[NCfriend]

Some starter pics

Not the cleanest, as we are driving this car daily
all the trim inside and out has either been installed since or just waiting for my next free moment to finish

[Phillytwotank]

cool color combo!

[NCfriend]

Thanks for the comments and interesting offers guys!

Quick update: I did the easiest item on my checklist = new sway bar links installed.
Working on getting some new bolts to finish mounting the euro bumpers

Question: those that have changed over to euro bumpers before, is there a rubber plug or some parts available to pull the large holes on the rear where the american bumper shocks normally enter the body?

To answer some other questions:
Driverseat was rebuilt using a set of passenger springs and pads. It feels very nice and the armrest works correctly in both locking positions.

Next project is a fresh 21 gallon fuel tank with perfect sending unit!

Keep the interest coming...

[greazzer]

Hey,

That fuel tank is one of the BEST out there !

I like the color !

Yes, there are rubber plugs. You should have 2 left over when you do the conversion because you need to add the quarter panel brackets with rubber pads so just switch them over. Or donor ones from the yard.

I have Elsbetts. Are you sure you want to get rid of those ? Do they still even make those ? That is a nice item for the WVO community !!!!

[NCfriend]

Thanks for the plug there and sharing this tank!
Greazzer: did you ever get your euro IP linkage?

Hole plugs: I am referring to the big holes that the bumper supports go through, about 3" diameter?

The Elsbetts are great and go with the complete system in the car.
I don't think they sale the wider spraying injectors with their system anymore

For WVO fans, I am offering to include a second tank system if desire to add on more.
These injectors work well with biodiesel and regular diesel as well. No noticeable difference or knocking. The fresh tank will only be used with diesel until a new owner decides their preference

[greazzer]

The "old school" Elsbetts -- no comparing -- the BEST for the Greazzers out there when burning WVO !

Sorry to Hi-Jack your thread ---
Nope -- I still need the entire linkage set up. Only thing really missing right now. I am offering a bounty again: I will swap a really nice set of five (5) turbo or non turbo injectors for the OM 617.9XX engine with super nice used German nozzles, cleaned, balanced, pop tested, and ready to go, plug and play ! That is worth at least $100.00. I will pay the shipping to the finder !

[NCfriend]

Alright viewers, I don't have much free time with trip preparations to "finish" the car's trim etc, but I can me motivated with good offers...

Here is the last chance for FREE shipping along the I-40 route from NC to California!

Can't do any trades as I need to downsize the fleet, but open to hear reasonable offers
Leaving in a couple of weeks so "act now" and who knows what I'll throw in the deal

[NCfriend]

Got the roof gutters and more trim back on. Finished cleaning the euro bumpers and install next....

Any last offers this week while I can still load it on the trailer and deliver between NC and San Fran?

[Quahog]

Any more repairs/improvements since last post? Fresh pics?

That is a sharp looking car, friend.

[sloride]

Originally Posted by NCfriend

Got the roof gutters and more trim back on. Finished cleaning the euro bumpers and install next....

Any last offers this week while I can still load it on the trailer and deliver between NC and San Fran?

How much time do you have in the restoration and any before pictures? Looks great. You must have forgotten the keys to the 6.9 you picked up out there and returning to get them, is that the nature of the trip.

[NCfriend]

Thanks guys

Sloride: I posted the possibility of delivery the first time I went to fetch the 6.9.
Delivery can still be arranged for the right price
I will dig for some old pictures. I knew I should have taken more of the repairs.
I do have one when I was doing the final wet sanding and my wife yelling at me about riding in a car that was 6 different colors (donor panels and bare steel)!

Qhahog: not much new since my sister has been driving it regularly the past few months.
That is why I haven't been pushing a sale either. At least it is getting driven and all on dino diesel. I sent her with the american bumpers for "extra protection".

She did a oil change and fuel filters. Rotated/balanced tires and checked the diff fluid since I had changed it recently.

I did manage to install a NEW manual antenna.
Have a Becker CD stereo from an '84 now waiting at home.
The AC is being looked into...

I can make the car available anytime for a buyer

[NCfriend]

Well let me start by offering the craigslist ad for your viewing pleasure:
1977 Mercedes 300D excellent veggie classic

The most recent work was complete transmission service, total fuel system cleaned with a diesel-only 21 gallon tank up-grade (after the radiator shop boiled it spotless), front suspension parts, and new hood pad. ~$800

I added the euro bumpers, fresh painted hubcaps and air cleaner lid, new trunk carpet, plus a detailed cleaning (a never-ending job).

Stereo is being wired to 4 Boston speakers this week. Has remote.

AC has not been addressed, but I have collected all the new parts necessary.

[NCfriend]

Working on the radio wiring in these pics, but nearly finished with all details.

Let me know if you want to see something more?