Steve:

Thanks -- I initally suspected fuel delivery problems, too, but today I found some oil in the coolant pressure tank. At the very least, I have a bad head gasket, more likely a cracked head, I suspect.

When I get a chance to get this thing indoors (need to finish the resoration on my brothers 75 300D first) I will yank the head and take a look-see.

I gather that the 603 has a reputation for cracked heads when overheated. I have no idea what the service has been like on the car since 93 when the second owner sold it -- no records past that in the MB service book.

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!