Pics...pics and more pics

[crazy4diesel]

Hello Everyone!

Here is the engine from my 1983 300TD (the donor car). I have so many questions as I clean it, and do some deferred maintenance to it.

I posted before, and coolljay has convinced me to hold off on the timing chain for now, and check the stretch first. I've researched that, and now just have to figure out how to do it. I will go ahead and replace the tensioner though, because it looks easy to do with the engine out, and the part isn't that expensive.

So pic number one: This is a picture of three of the allen bolts used for the lower oil pan, 2 of them have nuts on top that hold a bracket for the air conditioner line, and one of them has a spacer on the underside, because it also steadied the line coming from the transmission to the radiator. Here's the problem: As you can see all three bolts are bent, they came out this way, and now I'm wondering if the threads are buggered in the upper pan (I suspect they are, on one hole for sure). Best solution? I was thinking new bolts, and then just put a nut on them from the top oil pan for the hold necessary? Would it work?

Picture number 2: the injection pump from the side of the oil filter with the oil filter housing removed. It's just super oily, does anyone think I should replace the gasket under this plate, I would assume also the gasket of the shut off valve too???? Or just clean it and leave it.

Picture number 3: The white plastic vacuum device on the injection pump. Since this engine will be mated up to a manual transmission, can I get rid of this thing? If so, how do you do it?

Pictures number 4, 5 and 6: This is the oily mess from different angles. some pictures are when I'd partially cleaned it, then more toughly cleaned. At the front of the engine I suspected the gasket from the vacuum pump is leaking, now I'm not sure. There is a large bolt in the center with orange RTV all around it, this was clearly just smeared around this bolt, I suspect to stop a leak. It should be mentioned this engine never leaked enough to spot the driveway when it was parked. But, it is clearly leaking from somewhere up here. What is the large bolt, holding a bracket for the tach sensor and the timing pointer, I think?

[crazy4diesel]

ran out of picture limit...

[Zacharias]

I can only answer on pic #3. That is the vacuum control valve for the automatic transmission. Yes you can remove it if you are going with a stick.

It comes off with two 5mm allen bolts accessible from up top. You will also have to remove the plastic clip that holds the valve's lever to the piece of throttle linkage that moves the valve. Just use a small flathead screwdriver to pop it off.

[vstech]

I wouldn't worry about the bolts, put em back in, and snug them gently. clean them well, and use some blue loctite if you are worried about them.
as for the side plate, I'd just clean it and see if it seeps oil, or if it's spray from somewhere else. snugging up the bolts a tad shouldn't hurt though... (use a 1/4" ratchet ONLY!!!) they are thin bolts, so don't make them too tight.
as mentioned, you can safely remove the VCV, but it does no harm to leave it either.

oh, and I'd use a quarter car wash and soap, and spray that engine, and get it all grime free before too much more work is done.