Thought you all might be interested to see what I discovered on my new 1983 300CD:

Was the engine running when you purchased the car? Unfortunately it also appears that the previous owner did not change the oil very often.

Best to remove it.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I'd pull the lower steel oil pan and verify the oil pump pick-up screen doesn't have a fibrous mat stuck to it.

Yeah it runs surprisingly well (despite the other issues I've posted about in other threads). It seems the rag split itself between the cam lobes. You're right about the old oil...I haven't had a chance to adjust the valves yet either...

That is definitely in the plans for the next couple days...unfortunately I discovered a huge (what I presume to be a floor jack imprint) dent in the oil pan, so I'll probably just replace it altogether.

I don't know, I prefer duct tape and zip ties myself.

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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.

Well that should explain the screeching and stalling...

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Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

How?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I'm curious too how this would cause the screeching and stalling? Obviously the rag was non-ideal, but it was spread between two cam lobes and really wasn't an issue other than the shrapnel it was probably sending into the oiling system.

Literally laughed out loud 5 stars!

Yikes! Very dirty looking engine. Looks unloved. Looks like it has had a lot of blow by. You have to wonder if the rag was put in there intentionally....? How the heck could it be by accident?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Probably intentional. The very dishonest previous owner thought by stuffing the rag down into the oil fill hole on the valve cover this would temporaily limit the amount of blow-by. In all my years I have never seen such a trick (reminds me of putting sawdust in the manual transmission or differential).

How many miles? Never seen anything like this myself. Call the guy up and tell him what you found and give him an earful.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

I think I'd pull it out and wrap it up in a nice box and give it to him with a note -

While we were cleaning out your former beloved vehicle, we found what we believe to be a family heirloom, and wanted to be sure you got it back

...and enclose the pictures showing where you discovered his heirloom.

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica