Decided to pull the trigger on a decent 1991 350SD. 113k documented miles. Primarily a FL car. Absolutely solid body, paint is 75% (a few spots with clearcoat funnniness, similar to my old 1991 bmw).
Looks like an original block. There is a computer printed sticker on valve cover and trans. Think it’s just clean original. Absolutely no blow by when oil cap is removed after 75 mile highway drive. ATF is nice pink, though brake fluid will need a swap soon. Ball bearing in EGR line (shhhh).
R-12 ac blows cold, though there's a few bubbles in the sight glass.
Body rolls somewhat on rough or bumps at highway speed. The only other vehicle I’ve experienced that on is an unloaded full size 3/4 ton pickup. I’m guessing shocks? There’s also a sporadic vibration in the floor/seat (not the steering wheel really) at 62-75. Haven’t taken it faster than that. Not sure if the two are related, or if it’s just an unbalanced tire and bad shocks or what. Rear tires are from late 2017 but given no steering wheel shake I’d hage to suspect the rear.
Also, on some roads it will track with the steering wheel angled, while others it tracks straight and true. Standard 1” wheel play I’m used to from my W123s. Jacked up, the only motion I observe when holding the tire and checking for play test is actual play/movement observed in the steering wheel.
Intake gasket is seeping oil at the front two cylinders. Haven’t driven enough to track oil consumption. Believe it has the original block due to machined numbers. Car runs nicely at 85C-ish (needle right through the 80) under all conditions. Doesn’t really have a lot of pressure in the hose even after high speed driving. Was very cognizant of that after reading about 3.0L woes.
Needs shifter bushings and a new windshield gasket. I can tell water is trapped though no rust yet. May spray fluid film in there in the meantime to displace moisture. Wheels need a repaint. Bumpers in great shape but need a very minor few touch up spots. Only 2-3 dime size dents needs to be pulled. Also have some diesel smell in trunk, but not cabin. Figure something is not quite right with filler neck.
Sound system is particularly good sounding with a cassette adapter. Fairly impressed. Original Becker 1432. Will probably send to them for the $100 Bluetooth mod.
Currently over 250 miles in less than half a tank. Lights are ok low, surprisingly good on high. Not a single dash crack, all dash wood looks great. Console wood needs work.
So that’s the deal. Thinking to preemptively do a HG. Never done one before myself, not sure if this is an engine to learn on. Ive already costed in putting a 3.0L on the 3.5 head of need be. Would prefer to not, but counting on ultimately needing to do so at minimum.
