Hello everyone this is my first post on here and i recently aquired a 87 300sdl from a friend of mine the car was in great shape and the price was right(free) but the car had a few issues when i aquired it! it had a rotten out rear control arm which i replaced and also turbo/fuel issues! i adjusted the waste gate and now am getting full boost still was getting full power. So then i removed the ALDA and im now getting full power but need to adjust the transmission accordingly... i was wondering if anyone had a right up on how to adjust the Bowden cable and VAV i believe it is called so the transmission shifts properly!

thanks Dan

Bowden cable is adjusted so there is no slack and no tension with the throttle linkage at idle position. VCV is adjusted by rotating CW when facing the VCV from the driver side fender. Hold IP at WOT and rotate the VCV CW until you just feel tension in the VCV. Hold the VCV in place while you tighten the bolts. As the VCV negator spring ages, the VCV will move closer to the limit of the adjustment slot.

Caveat - this is the adjustment procedure with an ALDA in place. You might have to adjust the VCV by feel with no ALDA. If shifts are too firm, rotate the VCV CCW. If the shifts are too soft or the transmission flares, rotate the VCV further CW.

There's also adjusting the transmission modulator which is best done by an expert, and reasonably tackled by someone with a pressure gauge, appropriate specifications for the year and model and general ability in such tasks. Or just move it a notch CCW to soften shifts or CW to stiffen shifts then cross your fingers

Sixto
87 300D

Thanks! Where. Is the vcv located are there any other adjustments. I should. Make after. Removing thhe alda. Is yours removed?

The VCV hangs off the driver side of the IP. The VCV and Bowden cable are the only adjustments to be made outside the transmission. Next would be K1 spring kit and Superior shift kit, then B2 piston, etc. These require some disassembly but can be performed with the transmission attached to the engine in the car.

My is ALDA in place, capped and unshimmed. The car is quick enough for me. I shimmed my SDL ALDA with a washer that probably raised it to the point that it wasn't limiting fuel.

Sixto
87 300D

Thanks! What is the. Ip exactly....this is my first diesel so I am new to all of this could you possiably post a picture for me? And I would think in my case adjusting the vcv is. All I need to to because the transmission shifted great before I removed the alda....the car just had no power..is there any harm to removing the alda from what I've read so far it doesent seem. That there is?

IP is injector pump, or fuel distributor. It's the thing where all the metal tubes going into each cylinder emanate from.

__________________
Cheers!
Scott McPhee

1987 300D

There is a fitting on the intake manifold that provides a boost signal to the ALDA and the transmission vacuum amplifier. When you removed the ALDA, what did you do with the spur that feeds the ALDA? Ideally you capped it or replaced the splitter with a straight fitting to connect to the vacuum amplifier. Confirm this before you touch the Bowden cable, VCV or transmission modulator.

Sixto
87 300D

i see...does any have a write up on how to adjust the vcv or pictures of exaclty where it is?
thanks Dan

The VCV is the 'thing' with the black cap and black elbow hanging off the IP -



There is no adjustment screw. Loosen the two bolts that take a 10mm wrench, hold the IP at WOT, turn the VCV CW until you just feel tension, then tighten the bolts. Not too tight or you'll strip the threads in the aluminum IP case.

You really shouldn't touch the VCV until you confirm the rest of the vacuum system is up to snuff. To wit, if removing the ALDA disabled the engine shutoff actuator, you must have knocked loose the vacuum line to the turret just below the ALDA. Yours might be a plastic dome with a fitting pointing up. I find it an odd coincidence that your shutoff actuator failed right when you removed the ALDA... but I've done stranger things. The point is you need fewer rather than more variables as you learn about this engine. Don't be in a hurry to adjust things you haven't touched. Double and triple check the things you already touched. They're more likely to be the cause you seek.

And if I may continue my finger wagging, my opinion is you should have checked the line between the manifold and the ALDA before simply removing the ALDA. If you then decide the ALDA isn't for you, toss it. But you'll have proper before and after references.

Sixto
87 300D

Sixto, it wont let me send a private message to you for some reason?! could u send me your email i have a few more questions! thanks Dan!

I received two PMs from you.

Sixto
87 300D

So your physically turning the entire vcv?

Yes, like a distributor.

Sixto
87 300D

Great thanks man....could you give me a call when u get a chance I emailed u my number!

Sixto if. You. Could. Give ma a. Call I'm. Going. To be. Working. On. The car. Tonite!