I plan on proceeding with the teardown of the engine starting this weekend. Will have to purchase an engine stand but will be able to borrow a friends lift. My intentions are to keep all the engine parts together and reuse as much stuff as I can - #1 piston/rod, etc. Will plan on replacing rings and "stretch" bolts and give the other cylinders a good "honing/clean-up" if they look ok. At least taking it apart will enable me to learn how to go through one of these diesels. I will roll the engine over and take a look at the other two cylinders to see what I have there first thing tomorrow morning. I do not "feel" any ridge on the #3 cylinder at the top. Will probably just purchase a remanufactured cylinder head because of the looks of the #2 cylinder - it is beat up about as much as the piston top. I am considering purchasing a wrecked '79 240D in TX that the guy says has 149k miles and the engine runs. It has a 4 speed manual. Wonder if that engine/tranny combo would work in my '83 model and how much trouble it would be to convert my '83 to a manual?
I'm the type of person that doesn't really get to a "stopping" point until it is running
. The hardest part about the job will be dealing with the wife not being able to park in the garage for the next couple of "cold" middle GA winter months. She is not too impressed with that situation but I have not run it by her yet
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