Keep us posted on the progress.
I will, in the coming months, have a 216k mile OM616 mated to a 4 speed manual that will be for sale. I imported the car from the UK late last year, so am assuming it has the desirable fuel pump and a tiny eensie bitsy bit more power than the US version. It's a 240...does it matter?!
I have done a lot of work to it recently, tracked here on this forum.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/419236-1982-240d-head-pulled-now-what.html
The main thing I'm NOT selling is the pedal box.
Good luck!!!!
(I'm in Indianapolis 46220 for a geo reference)