my 85 cali td does not accelerate like other 85 federals i have driven, warm or cold, i think they are all super slow when real cold. Pulsing cruise control could be unrelated. I like starting with new fuel filters, myself

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1996 E300 110,000
1985 300TD 212,000
1980 300D 238,000

Success - I think. Will drive it for a couple days to make sure the improvement remains. I changed all of the vacuum fittings in the engine compartment and changed both fuel filters. The 1985 300 tdt now does not have the dead spots on the throttle that it had. It also accelerates faster from 0-60. Don't know if the improvement came from the new filters or the improved vacuum. Cruise control still surges but I will resolder it and see if that improves. During the vacuum work I inadvertently disconnected some vacuum lines that go to a check valve and the engine would not shut off except with the under the hood lever. Also the battery cahrge light came on and the tach stopped working. Pretty funny to turn the key off with no result - especially now that the problem has been found and resolved. Thanks for all the help.