Pre Dawn raid works best. At 4:45 AM today moved the '83 into the garage with double rugs over the concrete & jacked 18", E brake, blocked.

Looked to clean the oil slick from a poorly seated A/C oil return tube but proceeded only to clean the bottom starter allen head. Used a 3/8 slide bar & 10mm allen, once seated it turned without great resistance. One down one to go.
Removed trans support, supported with floor jack & 2X4. Looked to fish the 24" of 1/2" extensions, But no joy from below.

Pulled batt, tray, heat shield, removed trans fill tube support, air cleaner.

Cleaned out upper bolt head and proceeded to cut down a 10mm allen wrench. I cut the short end to make it, well shorter. Thinking that I could maybe cut the handle end and make it fit. After cutting, I had a straight piece of allen wrench, 5/8" long. I trued up the cut end and inserted it into the upper bolt head. Using a 10mm (duh) box wrench & a 15/16 box end on the 10mm, I used the larger wrench as a cheater and with patience and alignment ( got to keep it straght) I got it to POP, actually twice. Wrenched it out with the 10mm from above.

Went back down to the slick abyss, and removed the batt & control cables.
Dropped it out thru the members with wheels turned right, TY Kerry.

I do not know the board member who suggested the allen modification and box wrench cheater, but TY to you as well.

This was done on a '83 300D with turbo.

Now to get it rebuilt, or source a replacement. I will also take time to replace belts, reseal Air cleaner oil return tube, and engine mounts.

Total time just under three hours, not counting my clean up.

Thanks all,

Gary

__________________
Gary
Experience is something you get, Just after you needed it....
'99 E300 295K, '83 300D 220K, '75 240D 185K sold
'80 MCI Bus Conv DD 6V92TA, w/4 cyl. Kubota diesel GenSet 12.5KW