My working knowledge and experience with injection pumps could land on the head of a pin. Much thanks to the help, knowledge and experience received from folks here, I'm gaining ground.

DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME DISCLAIMER:
If by some chance this post isn't removed by the moderator and you've stumbled upon it, what you read below is mostly for entertainment purposes. It's crazy-wreckless, ignorant, naive, and may even alarm the Surgeon General. However... It's SO crazy it just might work or at least get you as far as I have.

I have a '78 240D that's been parked in complete neglect for more than 8 years. She started right up but went into a runaway. After ruling out oil in the cylinders I learned some basic theory of operation and sought professional help. I discovered repairs were cost prohibitive and buying a used pump was a gamble at best.

Given the circumstances of age and neglect, a tech at an IP service center suggested the rack was probably frozen. I opened the top of the governor. He was right. The rack was frozen solid and would not budge no matter how hard I tried.

I had nothing to lose and wasn't going to be able to purchase another pump anytime soon, so I set to work. I was all but certain my Pump was scrap but at least it would understanding of its inner workings so what the hell. I flooded the housing with ATF, dug into grandpas toolbox(He was a Greyhound Mechanic) and pulled out a monster sized flat blade screw driver, about 2' long. I know... it was wreck less but nothing else I used would budge that rack so this was the last ditch effort before proceeding with an autopsy.

Using an unholy amount of torque it moved, not more than a hair, but I felt it. I flooded the housing several more times and after about 20 minutes I had about 1/2" of travel. 30 minutes later I was reasonably sure that I had full travel and it was loosened up enough that the throttle arm inside was even moving it back and forth. I drained the ATF from the engine, flushed the governor housing with fresh oil, refastened the cover plate, and what the hell... I might as see if I got lucky.

Did it work? Did I further damage the pump, significantly shorten its life span, waste a gallon of ATF? Probably... I haven't a clue but the engine started, no runaway, and after she warmed up I got a good idle and was able to shut her down with the cut off. Pretty exciting, but by no means am I out of the woods yet...

Initially she wouldn't climb more than a few wraps above idle, a reciprocal of earlier event. It was, a welcome one for sure. Eventually she gained full tilt... I think. She still has a sluggish almost sponge like response but makes it there, so I'm pretty tickled. At the very least it's always a pleasure to hear the sound of a Diesel engine run.

Before trying all this I did lap the injectors, installed new heat shields, torqued them to spec, cleaned or installed new lines, tank, filters, and delivery pump, but forgot to tighten the primer pump down. I am pretty certain it was sucking air through there. After I secured the loose Pump I primed all lines to the best of my know-how and it made a difference but not profoundly.

I don't know if things will improve but I'll persevere. I'd love some suggestions, tips, or sideline help from anyone who has been patient enough to read this far. I don't know how to bleed the pump or if it's even necessary. I read about pump pressure and pump timing last night from the shop manual and the generously contributed step by steps instructions within this forum. I guess I'll start there and report back my findings, failures, and/or luck ridden success.

Again, Im full aware that suggesting this to anyone. But maybe, just maybe, it has worked for me, and will provide some penniless fool a crude chance of success in an otherwise hapless situation. Most probably not but I'm anxious to hear from the IP sages even if they tell me I'm an idiot and ban me from the forum. At least I'll have learned something if only by my failures. That's where I learn the most anyhow.