83 should have the tank, if it's a turbo motor (euro's are often N/A, even in 83) on mine, there were cracks in the expansion tank that kept it from building pressure. I also have one where the neck of the expansion tank would seep pressure out. none of mine actually overheat though.
if your dash gauge is hitting the red line, then you might have several other problems.
1st, is the engine ground SOLID to the car?
2nd, are you sure the temp gauge/sender is not faulty? IR thermometers are wonderful for this.
3rd... hate to say it, but yeah... german t-stats are the way to go here...
4th ya need to park the car REALLY HIGH nose up, to get these cars properly filled with coolant, and the monovalve can cause the system to hold air as well.
... again, hate to say it, but head gasket is the next logical thing to test...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!