you could be starting out in 1st but just shifting too quickly. the 240 automatics are slugs off the line. that year shouldn't have a vac mod. if it's shifting too fast try to go a little shorter on the kickdown linkage adjstment. don't go too short or it will stay in each gear too long until you let up on the accelerator or it will kick down every time you ever so slightly accelerate. make small adjustments at a time. you may have to go back and forth a few times before you get it where you want it. hope this helps.
paul

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Paul Roberts
Mercedes Centrum Inc.
Bellevue,WA.