Introduction, 1976 300D

[zyewdall]

Just got a 1976 300D sedan.



Runs good. Doesn't really like starting when it's cold (below 50F outside). Transmission seems dodgy -- you have to manually shift between 1st and second and drive to get decent performance, but it might just be because it's an automatic...I manually shift even brand new automatics in most vehicles because they won't behave like I want. Some rust in the rocker panels, and the paint on the hood is kind of shot. But overall, a pretty nice old car, especially considering the price (a new battery). It has all the original hub caps still. Non turbo takes a while to get up to highway speed, but it'll go on the highway fine once you get there (I am used to 80's subarus, so my standards aren't too high for acceleration

Z

[jackson101]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like fun!

[79Mercy]

Looks like a fun project, looks to be the same color as my 76 300D.

Hopefully you can work out that transmission issue, change the fluild and filter and see if it improves.

As for starting, make sure you glow those old loop style plugs for at least 45-50 seconds, or else they just wont be hot enough, also turn the idle knob up and give it a little go-pedal when really cold.

Make sure the throttle linkage is opening the injection pump all the way, it might only be opening up 50%.

[dbruckmann]

You should be able to kick down to start in first. If that's not working, check the adjustment of the throttle linkage. The floor switch may also be suspect, but an incorrect length of even a couple of millimetres, especially the vertical link through the exhaust manifold, can wreak havoc with shift points and kickdown.

Also, if you move the shifter to L and then back to D at a standstill, it will start in first.

Personally I love the start-in-second transmissions... One less shift means that much less wear!

D.