I just purchased a 1985 300TD Turbo Diesel, Manilla Beige (or maybe ivory, I still have to check the color code) with palamino interior. 236k miles and seemingly in rather good mechanical condition.

My first line of business is to fix the vacuum system. It seems overall it's just leaky, nothing is failing but everything is just slow or with it's quirks. For example when cruising around 60 a whistling will start quiet and grow louder until you give it more pedal and then abruptly goes away. The auto trans shifting is understandably a little rough, but nothing that is too out of control. Also, you have to be sure to turn the key slow when turning off the car. The first time I shut it off it kept running with the key out. When I went to open the hood to turn the engine off manually, it shut itself off.
The previous owner told me that the first thing he would do is buy just about every vacuum fitting, elbow, 3-way or 5-way or whichever that I can find off the EPC and replace them as I work my way through various repairs on different parts of the car over the next year or however long it takes.

Is this generally a good way to revamp the vacuum system? I also would plan on replacing the plastic distribution valve piece I think I read on ************** or DieselGiant. The right name for the part escapes me right now.

The other issue I need to address is the Self-Leveling Suspension. It's rather springy back there and makes for a bit of a jarring and bouncy ride down the expressway. That seems to be it's only symptom. No leaks to be found and it has a new hose going from the accumulator running the length of the car back to wherever it connects. It was also flushed with new fluid until it came clean. He said he wasn't really sure on how to bleed them properly. I'm trying to do some research but I feel I need a good rundown on how the system works. I was considering buying the ***************SLS system operations and diagnosis and troubleshooting guide.

Other than that, it seems in great shape, maybe I'll get out the good camera tomorrow and get some pictures.