Hi guys, iv'e been bouncing around and just got around to registering here and at benzworld. So far everyone has been super helpful, but this hasn't been with a few hiccups along the way. Anyways to the post, i am using a 1984 300d as my daily. I got it with 158k two months ago and having been stacking them on since. I have been using DieselGiants as a great resource along with this forum. The car i bought was, i imagine like many here, in need of TLC. AutoHZ has been a great source of parts, and ive been going through everything as i learn to do it properly. I have a friend that i have been helping with his 1982 300SD, and now realize what w123 and w126 mean. I have alot of questions an appreciate any information you guys can provide. I don't want to remove the ALDA, and would like the car simple sweet.

1. I'm totally cool with manual locks, and after losing my ipod to the mystery self opening vacuum locks its the way to go for me (this happend at work and after i drove and washed the car at home the next day, i locked it and came back a few hours later, self unlocked...). I'm all for making the locks, trunk and gas lid manual. I have run into an issue, more of some questions. My 1984 has some stuff i cant well identify, i found a post here that lists the parts (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/261024-84-300d-vacuum-diagram.httml and thanks to silver-300d for posting that diagram )--14.20 Electric Vacuum Control Valve--33.11 Electric switch over valve. The previous owner i guess took care of the infamous black box atop the intake manifold. So it as well as the EGR are gone leaving a bundle of now plugged vacuum lines leading from behind the passenger headlight towards the radiator. Can i remove/Plug where these lines go without negatively effecting the transmissions shifting/Alda?

2. I read up MBBieg's write up on replacing door seals, does anyone know where and how the clips go/work? It's an expensive process to be experimenting with. So if anyone is in the San Diego Area, im totally willing to slip cash/lunch or anything for assistance or teaching.

3. Does anyone have a source besides ebay for door locks? Like the driver and passenger side? I called my local MB dealer and they said not at all.

4. All of my seals are bad, i want to replace the trunk seal but it seems to be glued? is this normal? i ask because the P.O. put silicone caulking around the rear window seal. My big question regarding trim is- Does anyone know or have a source for the rubber trim that seals the body to the window? It's attached to the cabin, covers from the bottom of the A pillar back to the B pillar.

Let me know guys, as things come up, i'll add more as well as my experiences on this hopefully to help anyone with similar questions or facing the same problems, Thanks in advance.
-Allan