I just bought a very nice 85 300SD (101k, perfect condition, $4500). It has a larger air cleaner mounted off the engine (as opposed to my 83 300D on the engine with bracket). Also, the turbo is mounted higher, almost level with the valve cover. I've seen other 300SD's with mounting like my 83. At first I thought that this was just an improvement to fix the busted air cleaner rubber mount problem but I seem to remember a thread somewhere that said that this configuration is specific to California emission-equiped cars. Is this true? If so, what other differences should I be looking for? Are there any disadvantages to CA engines?
Photos of my stable coming soon.
Mike

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1983 M-B 300D, 148K, daughter's ride
1983 M-B 300TD, 120K, my ride
1985 M-B 300SD, 102K, wife's ride
1969 HD FLH, 45K, restored/hobby
1996 Chev Suburban, family taxi/tow vehicle
1990 John Deere Model 240
1942 John Deere Model LA
1985 16' 4Winns ski boat

1.) 2.88 vs. 3.07 differential.

2.) transmission specific to that year.

3.) trap oxidizer (hopefully long gone and replaced with the oxidative catalyst upper pipe or better yet, converted to original 617 style intake/exhaust/turbo/cleaner )

4.)different intake/exhaust manifolds

5.)different turbo mounting housings for manifolds

6.) air recirculating valve

7.) air cleaner housing and mondo expensive air filter

These are some differences, not precise and not all 1985 or CA specific, but you get the idea.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=90424

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

thanks for the info. how can I tell if the trap oxidizer has been replaced? what did the factory recall consist of?

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1983 M-B 300D, 148K, daughter's ride
1983 M-B 300TD, 120K, my ride
1985 M-B 300SD, 102K, wife's ride
1969 HD FLH, 45K, restored/hobby
1996 Chev Suburban, family taxi/tow vehicle
1990 John Deere Model 240
1942 John Deere Model LA
1985 16' 4Winns ski boat