'83 300TD performance
 

Hey there,

I just purchased an '83 300TD w/ 256k miles on California's central coast in hopes of converting to biodiesel. I've got a few concerns about its performance:

1. very slow up grades when approached at low speeds
2. when accelerating there's a rumble under center console between first and second gears

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Nick

Congradulations on your purchase and Welcome to the Greatest board on Earth.

Regarding your questions:

1. When you say "slow", relative to another diesel or you are comparing with a gas car. I am no diesel expert but 300D are 5 cylender cars and are slow at start up.
2. The rumble under the center console sound like a "center support bearing" for differential shaft.

This by no means an expert's opinion, we have very expert senior members who will, I am sure, share their opinion about this. There is also the diesel forum of this board and a lot of wealth of knowledge can be found there. I will also suggest you to use the search on these forum, most questions are asked before and will help you get your answer quicker.
I hope it helps.

Thanks

Benzmatic is correct.
Going up hill and the turbo does not kick in until 2000 rpm. so its slow
Center beaing on the drive shaft. Classic syptom.

Dave