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  #1  
Old 04-15-2007, 10:39 AM
JHZR2's Avatar
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Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,265
differences between 85 w123 and earlier years

Hi,

As I mentioned elsewhere, i just replaced my beloved 83 300D with an identical 85 300D.

There is a lot of different stuff under the hood - the car was not a CA car, so its not like Im plaing with a car from another world - there are other vacuum parts and stuff that Ive not seen before.

Additionally, the car feels more responsive than mine. The indy shop that I used to take my 83 to gave out w123 loaners, and Ive noted this before as well - 85 cars feel peppier than 83s, 84s and other turbo models.

Did they change the gearing ratios or diff ratios in 85? IIRC, it is a slightly newer transmission model in the 85, vs the other turbo w123s.

Ill post some pics along shortly, but some things are odd to me!

Thanks for any insight you might be able to give!

JMH

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #2  
Old 04-15-2007, 10:55 AM
pawoSD's Avatar
Dieselsüchtiger
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 15,438
Yes, the '85 has a different transmission revision as well as a 2.88 ratio differential rather than 3.07 on the earlier models.
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)
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  #3  
Old 04-15-2007, 11:28 AM
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Join Date: May 2003
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The higher stall torque converter (2400 vs 1600 rpm or so) adds to the peppiness. 2.88 differential helps with the fuel economy and lower cruising speed rpm.

Vacuum amplifier (blue disc) helps to soften shifting patterns.
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  #4  
Old 04-15-2007, 12:05 PM
JHZR2's Avatar
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Location: New Jersey
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excellent. I could easily get 28-31 in my 83 - so getting same in this one should be a breeze!

I was wondering about that blue disc... Can you tell me more about its connectivity? A quick glance seems to show it to be totally disconnected, but yet the trans shifts great (never rebuilt either), other than a 2-3 flare if going hard then softening up on the pedal abruptly just at shift time.

Are there any trans piston or other retrofits that can be done without a complete rebuild to enhance longevity and quality??? Is the bowden cable adjustability and vacuum modulator on trans still there?

Thanks,

JMH
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #5  
Old 04-15-2007, 12:09 PM
TheDon's Avatar
Ghost of Diesels Past
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 13,285
wtf most I get in my 85 is 23 mpg and thats a good day.. bad is like.. 19.. Something is wrong
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  #6  
Old 04-16-2007, 08:22 PM
JHZR2's Avatar
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,265
Quote:
Originally Posted by DslBnz View Post
Vacuum amplifier (blue disc) helps to soften shifting patterns.
You mean this thing:






I don't think mine is attached at all...

All the vacuum lines work, the whole system is very tight, and the trans shifts great it seems... the lines look set up just like my 83 - which may be wrong, but I don't really know.

Is the line from the brake booster supposed to look like this:


Because the one for my car from Phil's site looks like:


Though that is really for vins apparently up to -12-002135, whereas mine is -A-21xxxx, so Im not sure if partsshop is showing real, relevant results. The one that is in my car is shown above might be something else... Im not sure how those vins work out. Partsshop doesnt have the one for the later vin cars, I dont know why...Maybe Im wrong here...

Any insight would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

JMH
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #7  
Old 04-16-2007, 08:54 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 279
Quote:
Originally Posted by JHZR2 View Post
excellent. I could easily get 28-31 in my 83 - so getting same in this one should be a breeze!
best of luck on that ;-)
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1985 MBZ 300DT
1969 MBZ 220d
1984 MBZ 300TDT
1981 VW Vanagon
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  #8  
Old 04-16-2007, 08:57 PM
JHZR2's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,265
Thanks,

The right driving style, oil and fuel additives (Im a chemical engineer by trade, and can do the analytical part) does an old diesel good!

JMH
__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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  #9  
Old 04-16-2007, 11:28 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 192
The vacuum line going to the brake booster in my 85 300D Turbo is identical with what you have installed in your car. Here's a thread showing photos and a diagram of the vacuum amp (blue disc) hookup. Note that the vacuum amp has marking for lines going to transmission, vacuum, boost etc.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1291383
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1985 300D Turbo
"Evolution is God's way of giving upgrades" Francis Collins
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  #10  
Old 04-17-2007, 08:14 AM
Shorebilly's Avatar
Marine Engineer (retired)
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 1,268
Exclamation Aahhh, the blue Flyin' Saucer thingy....

I began this thread about the subject, you may find it helpful....

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=166098&highlight=Vacuum+Devices

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG
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