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  #1  
Old 11-18-2003, 12:20 AM
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Restoration of a 300D Turbo

Hey guys whats up? I haven't been here in awhile cause ive been busy with school, but I have a project now. My mom recently accuired a 94 Beretta which means the Benz is now in the garage and im going to do a mild restoration on it. I have a few questions though as I am not familiar with the older Benz's

1. The preglow relay has burned out, and i was wondering what causese them to burn out and if there rebuildable. I dont want to spend a 100 dollars plug it in and have it burn out on me. Should all the glow plugs get power when i send 12v to only1 ?
2. I need a dash board because I was butchered when the Tumbler needed to be replaced Any ideas price?
3. What should be vaccum reading at idle because car has tuff time operating vacuum systems and shutting off. Vaccum pump dirty lines?
4. I was in Europe this summer going this winter wondering if the Euro circular lights will work with out modification. Like the look better.
5. Where to get a new carpet and mats Price? Oil got on it when Gauge leaked
6. Front new seat skins ?
7. Tachometer does not work ?
Thats about all i can think of right now.

Thanks a lot guys i appreciate any help.

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1982 300D Turbo (Mom's)
1993 BMW 525I (Dad's)
2001 Vw Golf (Brothers)
2002 Nissan Ser SpecV (Im the Black sheep lol)
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  #2  
Old 11-18-2003, 12:29 AM
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www.adsitco.com should have most everything you need...but they would be a last resort for me,since thier prices are higher than giraffe balls.....try looking around on ebay for little things you may need...good luck with your restoration
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  #3  
Old 11-18-2003, 12:35 AM
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thanks for the info. BTW should i stick with the original paint color? Its that beige off white color what do you guys think.
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1982 300D Turbo (Mom's)
1993 BMW 525I (Dad's)
2001 Vw Golf (Brothers)
2002 Nissan Ser SpecV (Im the Black sheep lol)
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  #4  
Old 11-18-2003, 12:47 AM
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IMO the only colors that appeal to me,for a merc are....silver,white,maroon,or jet black.....i have always hated the cream colored,and gold colored cars....but to each his own...im actually contemplating having my 85 300sd resprayed in black...but i have clear corners and all clear taillights,i think they may stand out wayy too much if the car were black....its astral silver right now,and itll most likely stay that way,since #1. the lenses i have go well with the color and #2. i have only seen a handful of silver 126's like mine...and there are loads of black mercs running around,but for good reason....black suits a mercedes to a tee
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  #5  
Old 11-18-2003, 03:32 AM
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I have clear corners (no clear taillights - know where I could find some for a wagon?). I was thinking of a dark metallic gray/black color for my ivory wagon if I could ever get the $$$ to get it repainted. There's a new Audi wagon always parked in my school parking lot that has really turned me on to that color - I think it would match wonderfully with the chrome and the clear corners and headlight frames (which I painted Wurth silver).

Black cars just get too darn hot (here in CA anyway) for me, plus they need that extra bit of care to keep them ultra clean or they start looking dirty fairly quickly (not as bad as white at least!).
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  #6  
Old 11-18-2003, 07:24 AM
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For the dash, find a good salvage yard and see if they have a good dash in your color. Lots of education in getting that thing out and back in I hear... While you have it out, replace the vacumm servo behind the center vents. It goes bad and dash removal is only way to change it. Look around and you may find a Mercedes only salvage yard. I visit one in KY all the time and it is a life (and wallet) saver.
My carper got the presure gauge oil bath and I plan to try shampooing it. It is black carpet anyway so no worry about the stain per se, just want the oil out.
I'd get the manual and go over the glow plug system real carefully. get it right and you will be sure of starting and should be reliable.
Plug all the vacumm lines and see how much vacumm your pump is pulling. Probably should see over 20" hg. Maybe time for the rebuild kit if reading is low with all plugged.
Tach is always a pain. Maybe the little amp down in the diagnostic connector on driver side fender. My sensor is bad and I have to get a new one if I ever get the car back. (sister-in-law has it now).
My own opinion on paint changes is: Don't do it. Stick with what ever color the car came in from the factory. There will always be some area that you don't change the color on and it will look bad.
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  #7  
Old 11-20-2003, 12:29 AM
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Nobody else has tips or hints for me?
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1982 300D Turbo (Mom's)
1993 BMW 525I (Dad's)
2001 Vw Golf (Brothers)
2002 Nissan Ser SpecV (Im the Black sheep lol)
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  #8  
Old 11-20-2003, 12:39 AM
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Don't waste too much money on the car, you'll never get out what you'll put in to it. Make sure it runs good before you start on any of the cosmetic things. Do a search in the forum on the glow plug relay, I've read some people have put in a manual switch to turn them on and off.
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  #9  
Old 11-20-2003, 03:21 PM
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I agree with lietuviai. Don't put any more $$ into this than necessary, you'll NEVER get it back out. Consider it a fun, low-dollar project. Use car-part.com to locate the cheapest used parts. Beware of buying anything from Adsit Co, I have heard numerous stories about terrible customer service if you have even the slightest problem. For new parts, buy from FastLane or PartsShop (they sponsor this forum), alternately Rusty (East coast, ***************) and Randy (West coast, epsparts.com) are both good vendors as well. I've owned several 123 and 124 chassis, and I'm slowly restoring my one 124 to mint condition... I believe the 124 has much higher ROI than doing a 123. Also there are tons of performance goodies for the 124, and almost zero for the 123. And a stock 124 will run rings around any 123 for handling, braking, comfort, interior noise level, and a bunch of other things. Which is why I said at the beginning of this post, keep your investment in time & money to a minimum on an old 123 sedan...!
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  #10  
Old 11-20-2003, 03:32 PM
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Re: Restoration of a 300D Turbo

Quote:
Originally posted by Jugo Driver#1

1. The preglow relay has burned out, and i was wondering what causese them to burn out and if there rebuildable. I dont want to spend a 100 dollars plug it in and have it burn out on me. Should all the glow plugs get power when i send 12v to only1 ?
2. I need a dash board because I was butchered when the Tumbler needed to be replaced Any ideas price?
3. What should be vaccum reading at idle because car has tuff time operating vacuum systems and shutting off. Vaccum pump dirty lines?
4. I was in Europe this summer going this winter wondering if the Euro circular lights will work with out modification. Like the look better.
5. Where to get a new carpet and mats Price? Oil got on it when Gauge leaked
6. Front new seat skins ?
7. Tachometer does not work ?
1- Test each glow plug. They should measure 0.6 ohms. If any are shorted out, that could blow the flat fuse in the relay (are you SURE it's not just the fuse?). Buy a used relay to save $$.

2- Salvage yards - use http://www.car-part.com

3- Vacuum should be 25 inches Hg at idle measured at the PUMP with the lines disconnected. Sounds like you have a leak somewhere in the car. This is common - buy yourself a MityVac Silverline 4050 kit from www.thetoolwarehouse.net , you'll need it.

4- True Euro lights are expensive (the complete one-piece "flat" headlamp assembly). To improve lighting, get Hella 7-inch round E-code lights from rallylights.com, I put these on my '84 and it was a HUGE improvement of the halogen sealed beams. ABout $70/pair, I think.

5- You can get the OE "Genuine Mercedes" mats from FastLane or Rusty - about $100 for all four. VERY nice quality. They include clips for the front mats that prevent them from sliding forward - nice touch. Kinda pricey, though - is the car worth it? If not, just get something cheap at McParts.

6- Get seat covers, or find a 123 in a local salvage yard with better seats and swap the entire seat. New seat covers will be too much $$.

7- Probably the tach "amp", the round thingy on the driver's side fender under the hood. Search the forum for info on this. Sometimes stuffing a shim in the top of the canister helps the electrical contact. This is a common problem.


HTH,
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  #11  
Old 11-20-2003, 07:21 PM
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I checked all the glow plugs there all fine. The reason i know the relay crapped out is because i took it apart and the circuit board is all burnt and melted. Thanks for the tips guys keep em comin. Im gonna be gettin a lot of used parts now thats to that carparts website i didnt know they delt with used parts too Thanks guys.
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1982 300D Turbo (Mom's)
1993 BMW 525I (Dad's)
2001 Vw Golf (Brothers)
2002 Nissan Ser SpecV (Im the Black sheep lol)
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  #12  
Old 11-20-2003, 07:26 PM
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It's a bit easier if you call PG Auto or Silverstar Recycling, because both specialize with Mercedes Benz.

http://www.pgauto.com
http://www.silverstarrecycling

PartsShop and FastLane are great for new parts too!
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  #13  
Old 11-20-2003, 07:39 PM
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PGA and Silver Star probably have the most MB inventory, and probably the most MB expertise. But they're usually NOT the cheapest. I have bought items from both of them in the past with good to excellent results. I like that PGA has prices on the web, where Silver Star does not. Neither of these places really deals with new parts except as special order, AFAIK... you're better off getting new stuff from PartsShop and FastLane.

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  #14  
Old 05-11-2004, 03:53 PM
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Hey guys its been a while but i've finally found time to really start restoring this car. Currently I have taking out the instrument cluster (need oil pressure gauge) The radio is out and im going to get it repaired. The wood from center console is out and im going to be polishing it again. And today is the greatest thing ive done so far. I cant believe what time and elbow grease can do to a paint job. I spent about 4 hours which isnt a lot (i think) and the paint is back to almost brand new condition I just need my body man to go over the body with me and get some tiny dings out and touch up the rock chips but its looking good so far. Its in the garage and covered up so i dont have to dust it again.

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1982 300D Turbo (Mom's)
1993 BMW 525I (Dad's)
2001 Vw Golf (Brothers)
2002 Nissan Ser SpecV (Im the Black sheep lol)
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