Eerie Boneyard Visits Presage New Acquisition - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rs899 · #1 01-01-2006, 08:35 PM

I spent some time down in South Florida Upullits last week ( thanks William!-MTU Power).

I just missed on some great W116 euro lights - but I did get a so-so pair for cheap money.

But what was interesting was that I was haunted by 240D parts- parts that I thought I didn't need.

First- there was this very early 240D that was complete but in sad shape. There in the trunk was a freshly rebuilt 240D auto tranny that the owner never got around to installing, I guess- There for the taking for $50. But why do I need that - for my 240D stick at home?

Then, there was this late 240D stick model that someone had gutted apparently to fish out...the CLUTCH? The light alloy tranny was just sitting there whispering "take me home". Again $50. But- why do I need even another manual tranny?

Well, I found out why. Today in Orlando I scooped up a 77 240D for $500. Major issue seems to be the lack of reverse on the auto tranny (which could just be a reverse band adjustment, I read). It has 155K miles. Needs a lot of TLC but engine purrs, no major rust and original (yellow

) paint. Manual sunroof

and windows. Cold AC (!). Original owner family. This will probably serve as a backup and eventual replacement for the VW Pickup on my daily commute. I already have a complete 240D manual tranny, flywheel, pedal set and driveshaft laying around for such a possibility (well, I was thinking of converting a turbo, but this will do) .

I really need to do something about the lack of reverse- there's just about no way out of my place without it.

Rick
Deltona, FL

MTUpower · #2 01-01-2006, 09:02 PM

The yards here certainly do have alot of value, and if you (meaning anyone here) gives me a PM I'll do my best to give a report of what cars may be found at what yards and directions to the yards. Note that there are very few post 1990 cars save a occasional 190

TheDon · #3 01-01-2006, 09:03 PM

hey hey any yards in the orlando area with some w123's?

rs899 · #4 01-01-2006, 09:43 PM

The only W123s I know of in the Orlando upullit ( SR50 Colonial at the 417 expressway) is a W123 TD gasser and pretty well picked over. I think there is one next door at Fosters- yes, a W123 240D or 300D, can't remember which. He wanted $30 for the combination switch and I bolted.

The current drought of W123s in central Florida has me very concerned.

TheDon · #5 01-01-2006, 09:48 PM

their is a w123 car that i see sitting in a back yard on my way to school all the time.. i want to stop by and ask if i can pick parts off it and ill pay them.. and their is another w123 ive seen in another backyard.. i think im going to start askn about them soon oo and then their is a 115 chasis car at a lil dealership in the town sitting in the way back just asking for me to buy it.. it might be a diesel it might be.. but im broke and i have no room for it..

rs899 · #6 01-01-2006, 10:43 PM

snicker

oooh this is interesting. I just noticed that the woman who sold me the 240D for $500 actually signed and gave me the title for her replacement 1995 E300 or whatever it was gasser.

?

Naw, I'll call her in the morning and get that straightened out. I don't want to get screwed and stuck with driving that nasty gasser.

MTUpower · #7 01-01-2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

The only W123s I know of in the Orlando upullit ( SR50 Colonial at the 417 expressway) is a W123 TD gasser and pretty well picked over. I think there is one next door at Fosters- yes, a W123 240D or 300D, can't remember which. He wanted $30 for the combination switch and I bolted.

The current drought of W123s in central Florida has me very concerned.

What is a w123 TD gasser?

rs899 · #8 01-01-2006, 10:51 PM

William-

OK sorry sorry. It was sore sort of euro TE -280? maybe. I had a momentary brain fart there. I don't see many TEs or TDs around here to read the numbers. And the car in question was missing its tailgate anyway.
Rick

MTUpower · #9 01-01-2006, 11:06 PM

They are rare in the yards- gas or diesel. I do like seeing the different versions- I have emblems from a 300TD, 280 TE, and a 230TE. I like to get a 240TD and a 200 T.

rs899 · #10 01-02-2006, 06:25 AM

Rare, I know. This particular yard in Orlando had 3 wagons in it at the same time back a month or so ago (the TE and 2 NA TDs). I dashed off to Brooksville to see a 300TD that someone had listed here, but it turned out to be too big a project, even with all the needed sheet metal etc available. Now they are down to just the TE.

William, are you looking for anything for your TD?

300sdlguy · #11 01-02-2006, 08:27 AM

It the title was for an 1995 e300..(e320's were gas) she gave you the title to her 1995 w124 DIESEL

rs899 · #12 01-02-2006, 06:42 PM

I have no earthly idea what sort of vergasser it was, but it was objectively worth more than the $500. But not to me. I have no interest in anything like that . Those things are liabilities, not assets, IMHO.

Anyway, I got the 240D home, but it was a white knuckle trip. The engine and transmission ran perfectly on the 30 or so miles, but the front end was so messed up. In 33 years of driving I have never felt so out of control - at 45 mph! A quick check shows me that the bushing that holds the strut mount into the lower control arm on the drivers side was basically missing and all the tie rods were sloppy. Its a wonder someone wasn't killed in that car. That said, it seems to be a very sound car. Needs a lot of TLC. Front seats- new front fenders- rubber everywhere. But probably will turn out even better than my present 240D stick. I was able to get reverse working in a jiffy. Somehow the B3 band adjustment had loosened up . I just hand tigtened it about 3 turns and its fine. That will make moving it about so much easier as I ponder all my possibilities .

Rick
Deltona

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