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  #1  
Old 10-19-2005, 04:05 PM
cpm cpm is offline
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I've gone and done it, now what?

I've purchased, eyes wide open, sight-unseen, a 1983 300td.

Why? Umm, because I wanted it.

Current owner has been forthcoming about what he sees are issues.
I think I'll be able to drive it home.

It's going to be a journey to get it. Fellow is keeping his battery, so I'll need
a battery. I've not been up and personal with one of these old dinosaurs
in a long time, but I recall they had a huge battery. I have an optima
red top I can take with me for the trip, but will it be enough? Any
chance that battery tray is large enough to hold 2 optimas in parallel?

Aside from an ammo can of hand tools, flashlight, basic fluids, some
fuses, a lamp or two, what sort of "You really should have brought a xxxxxx"
can you recommend having along on such a journey?

thanks kindly in advance

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  #2  
Old 10-19-2005, 04:10 PM
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Well if you are traveling to get this new addition. Posting a route plan will probably get you all sorts of new friends along the way in case trouble happens.
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  #3  
Old 10-19-2005, 04:20 PM
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Tow cable, flares, replacement belts and hoses...

Two Optima batteries won't fit. You might have to reroute the cables if the Optima terminals are on the 'wrong' ends compared to a purpose fit battery.

Sixto
87 300SDL
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  #4  
Old 10-19-2005, 04:29 PM
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cell phone
AAA Plus
cover alls
disposable gloves
fuel pre-filter
good karma
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1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
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  #5  
Old 10-19-2005, 04:32 PM
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Fuel water remover/dissolver...

Sixto
87 300SDL
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  #6  
Old 10-19-2005, 04:45 PM
cpm cpm is offline
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Quote:
Posting a route plan will probably get you all sorts of new friends along the way in case trouble happens.
Well, I don't know what to say to that, that's really nice.

Okay,

It's a simple trip, From the Roanoke Va area to up around Winchester Va, right
up the I-81 corridor. But I-81 being the bowling alley that it is, I was considering
the gentle "eastern" route rt43 up to rt340, or maybe a very gentle drive up the Blueridge Parkway, Skyline drive. Since it's a new unknown, I think the gentle trips to be
the better choices.

I've got good tow straps, but can you tow an automatic? I've never been clear
on this. I keep thinking if you only do it a couple of miles at a time, stopping
and letting the xmission cool, and keep the speed down, ~35mph or less,
you can might get away with it. I'll have company on this trip, but it's only
a Subaru forester. So just gentle tugs is all I'm going to get.




Also, Cellphone - check
Don't have triple-A
It's been down the biodiesel road recently, but currently fueled with dinosaurbones.
so filters, check
belts, check.

Tow straps I have. But is it reasonable to tow an automatic any distance?
I keep thinking if you only go a couple of miles at a time, and stop to
let things cool a bit, and keep the speed down ~35mph or less, you might
be able to get away with it. But I don't know. I'll have a companion car, but
it's just a Subaru Forester, gentle tugs is all I'll get

Last edited by cpm; 10-19-2005 at 04:52 PM.
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  #7  
Old 10-19-2005, 05:06 PM
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You don't want to tow the car unless you're using a flat bed. Maybe if you went only 35 and stopped every half hour, you could get there okay. But, it would take you a week.

You will want a battery to re-start when you cut it off, but the diesel will run even without a battery once it is running. Of course, you won't have electricals (like blinkers!) without a battery. I'm just saying you don't absolutely NEED it to make the thing roll. So, I'd think the smaller battery is okay for a one-time trip.
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  #8  
Old 10-19-2005, 05:15 PM
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So why cant you tow an automatic if you put it in neutral?

I'd bring a cell, a big battery, kerosein (sp), fuel filters, tow straps, a tarp, and a pillow (some seats are kinda wet and funkey sometimes... just a thought...


Knowing what the issues he said it has would definetly help...

~Nate
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  #9  
Old 10-19-2005, 05:32 PM
cpm cpm is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nateid15
So why cant you tow an automatic if you put it in neutral?

I'd bring a cell, a big battery, kerosein (sp), fuel filters, tow straps, a tarp, and a pillow (some seats are kinda wet and funkey sometimes... just a thought...


Knowing what the issues he said it has would definetly help...

~Nate
On towing an automatic, it's my understanding that the fluid isn't driven from the
output shaft, but rather from the input shaft on autos that I've seen. Meaning,
that running her down the road in neutral, she'll get plenty hot. It's also not a
great idea to "freewheel" 'em either.

The issues were relevant mostly to cosmetics. Does have vacuum "stuff" like the
door locks don't operate, fluid for the self-leveling system needs topped off. Is
fully due for a full-on all fluids maintenence. locked-up ac compressor. cruise control
doesn't fuction, block heater doesn't work, a broken backup light lens. In other words, an old car.
He bought the car to experiment with biodiesel, did his experiments, and bought
better cars, and sold this one to me.
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  #10  
Old 10-19-2005, 05:35 PM
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Quote:
or maybe a very gentle drive up the Blueridge Parkway, Skyline drive.
IIRC there is no "gentle" way up or down the BRP. Unless of course you mean gently smashing the accelerator for 5 miles up and then gently smashing your brakes 5 miles down. From what I remember it's pretty steep on both ends. If you are concerned about the car making this trip I would completely avoid Skyline Drive. As far as bowling alleys go, it doesn't get much finer than I-81 through Shenandoah. I drive to VA a couple times a year and that is always my favorite part of the trip!
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  #11  
Old 10-19-2005, 05:57 PM
cpm cpm is offline
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Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bohous
IIRC there is no "gentle" way up or down the BRP. Unless of course you mean gently smashing the accelerator for 5 miles up and then gently smashing your brakes 5 miles down. From what I remember it's pretty steep on both ends. If you are concerned about the car making this trip I would completely avoid Skyline Drive. As far as bowling alleys go, it doesn't get much finer than I-81 through Shenandoah. I drive to VA a couple times a year and that is always my favorite part of the trip!
Naw, there's no grade more than 10%, blue ridge pkw is a 45 zone, sld is a 35 zone.

I'm "hoping" I'll figure out right away if the motor is gonna pull. I'm a light foot. What I'm
not interested in is finding out about a new and exciting suspension/alignment/tire/
peculiarity in a 300k miles car at 75+ mph with a dozen 40tonners barrelling down
my backdoor. With any luck at all, if she needs to be limped, I can take her back down
the state roads. But you're certainly right, I-81 on a nice day, in the right vehicle, really
can be pretty nice, that's true.
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  #12  
Old 10-19-2005, 06:02 PM
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Just the other day some guy was asking why the transmission on his "new" MB was shot after towing it home in neutral. Consider yourself warned.

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