Howdy, folks.

I've been offline for the past month due to RL issues - no job, job, no job; 8-month-pregnant wife; shopping for a house to get out from under the thumb of the rent-eating landlord; etc etc. After spending four hours catching up on a month's worth of posts, I must say, WOOT I'll never leave for that long again!

My 240D restoration is still coming along:
The body is pretty much complete, finally. It looks good! I finally got all the new seals and weatherstripping installed so it's leak-proof, and pushed it out of the rental garage into the parking lot this afternoon. I've left some of the trim off because I want to get the new paint color-sanded to give it a super gloss and eliminate the orange peel, dust flecks and "nibs" that make it only 95% perfect instead of 100% perfect. It seems like it's taking SO long because I want to make everything right as I put it back together.

The engine.. well, that has yet to be seen. My machine shop is SLOW! If I had to do it over again, I would have found a Mercedes-experienced shop (I think there's one in Winterhaven) instead of the race-oriented shop that my brother-in-law recommended. I think he'll do a good job, but it's a one-man operation and he probably has more interesting things (race engines) to work on that my stinky old 4-cylinder diesel. Anyway, I'll post some other threads with specific issues. Now that I have room in the garage to reassemble the engine, I'm really anxious to get the block and head back into my possession.

Larry Bible, I must congratulate you on your successful rebuild of your daughter's 300D. Reading of your success has really given me inspiration and boosted my motivation to get down in the garage and get to work on the thing.

Jim/engatwork, what's the status of your green one? Engine OK? Photos? Inquiring minds want to know.

Sorry for the spam; I have several more threads that I want to start

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI

The guy that I am borrowing the engine lift from brought it over last night. I should have the engine out by around 1 pm tomorrow. My plans are to get an engine stand on the way home today.

The number 2 piston/cylinder was trashed on top - actually looks like someone ran it with a screw or nut in there. The valves are intact except for kinda looking beat up. Intentions right now are to re-sleeve/new piston #2, hone #1, 3 and 4, replace rings on all of the pistons and maybe rod bearings. What do ya'll think - should I just go ahead and replace the crank/rod bearings or leave them along if they look good?

If anyone wants any specific pictures just let me know. With the head off and alot of the stuff off of the engine things are pretty wide open in there right now. Oh yea, I am enjoying the "like new" seats in the 300D while this one is being taken apart. I am seriously considering going all out on the 240D after it is running and repainting, etc... because the body is in such good condition except for the fading.

__________________
Jim