My '83 300d bangs into reverse and bangs into 2nd gear. All other gears work OK. There is no slippage I can detect, although the engine races a little as it tries to shift from 1st to 2nd, then bangs into second. Is there any adjustment to correct this? Or should I just take it to a tranny shop?

Do a search on here concerning vacuum. Sounds like yours is not getting the correct vacuum signal. Steve Brotherton has an article somewhere around here that discusses it.

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Jim

HARSH engagement in reverse isn't adjustable at all! Either you have the idle speed too high OR there is an internal trans problem! Has the fluid been changed frequently?

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might be a combination of a worn front flex disc and a vacuum problem.

Stefan.

The problem is mostly in 2nd. The idle speed is OK. The trans fluid is still red and doesn't smell burned.

First inspect front flex disk and replace if necessary.