What to do? TD, SD, DT...

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PT in OR - 08 Jan 2007 16:48 GMT

I'm in a bit of a quandary. I have an '81 300TD wagon. Mechanically
it's in very nice shape. Reliable, fun to drive, starts well, etc.
But, it's a rust bucket. Every time I open something up or remove a
panel, there is more rust-much of it right through the metal. The
only way to get this thing permanently stable would be to strip it and
have it dipped-which would cost more than I paid for the car. It
looks like hell, but it is a daily-driver.
Meanwhile, I have a '80 300SD with a near perfect body that is
mechanically toast. It starts and drives, but the tranny has a lot of
slip and the engine burns more oil than fuel. From the research I've
done, the mechanics of the TD will not transfer into the SD (I do have
a wrecked 300DT that the engine will fit-can't get a definitive
answer on the tranny).
So, my questions to you fine people:
--Are the TDs getting valuable/rare enough that parting it out and
trading the parts would be sacrilege?
--Has anyone stripped and dipped a TD and thought it was worth it?
--Is my info incorrect and can the TD drive-train go into an SD?
I have three MBs with problems and would like to find a way to make one
that is both mechanically sound and not an embarrassment to be seen in.
Since I'm more comfortable with the devil I know, I would rather not
sell all the cars and find another that has unknown problems. Any input
would be appreciated. By the way, I'm in Oregon, if that matters.
Thanks!

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Take A Guess - 08 Jan 2007 17:49 GMT

These cars once were good cars but they're now 25 or more years old and
have had it. I would suggest wiser uses of your time than on these dead
end cars. There are lots of really nice cars in the world so don't waste
time on old junks such as these. They're only collectors' cars in your yard.

OK, if its got to be this universe, I'd (i)re power the 300SD one way or
another, buy a motor, (ii)remove the good motor and transmission from
the rust bucket and junk its body and (iii) assess the wreck to see what
exactly needs to be done to make it roadworthy for use, or sale, or sell
it for junk. If you sell the rust bucket's motor and transmission it may
as well be in the car so the buyer can test it - and get a free car with
the motor!

That leaves you driving the best looking, 300SD, now with new power and
you're rid of the junk.

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Tom Plunket - 08 Jan 2007 22:54 GMT

> --Are the TDs getting valuable/rare enough that parting it out and
> trading the parts would be sacrilege?

The only meaningful difference between the 300D and the TD are the
bodies. Well, plus the tail lights and rear washer setup, but otherwise
they're the same car. If you do part it out, I may be interested in a
few bits. (I've got a '79 TD.) ;)

> --Has anyone stripped and dipped a TD and thought it was worth it?

You might be able to get a grand or two for it rather than refinishing
it. It's ridiculous, yes, but people are buying them for some reason.

> --Is my info incorrect and can the TD drive-train go into an SD?

If a 300D powertrain will go into the SD, the TD one will too.

-tom!

--

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Tiger - 08 Jan 2007 23:31 GMT

The engine is same mechanically... just slightly different as in waterpump
and maybe a few tiny things... but it should fit with no problem... You will
have to use the engine mounts of the 300SD. Both turbo model so no power
loss or decline. You will have to use 300SD exhaust manifold with turbo
mechanisms... verify the intake part but the base motor is the same.

As far as tranny is concerned... 81 300TD has the same tranny as the 126
300SD of 81 to 85... this is 722.303. The 80 116 300SD as 722.120 tranny...
and whichever year 300D you got should be 722.118... as long as 722.1xx
match... that is all you need to know. the last two digit is like version
number. Just make sure the vacuum modulator is of the original tranny in
which case is the 300SD.

The tranny of the 300TD is more robust... so if you can fit that in, I'd try
it. But if you are pulling both engine and tranny from your wrecked car that
you know the tranny and engine is good... then stick with this pair so that
you still got your rusty MB to drive in the meantime.

I would salvage as much of good part to make one good car. Then you can sell
the rebuildable core to someone from the 300SD... and keep the other engine
if you still need it. This is one big project...

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Richard Sexton - 09 Jan 2007 19:31 GMT

>--Are the TDs getting valuable/rare enough that parting it out and

Some parts are. The cylinder head is unique to the wagons
and semi valuable. If the rear suspension works right
those bits are desirable. Other than that it's all 1234 chasis
stuff.

>--Has anyone stripped and dipped a TD and thought it was worth it?

If the rest of the car relaly is all sorted out then redoing the
body may be an option. It depends on what you're willing to do or
spend.

>--Is my info incorrect and can the TD drive-train go into an SD?

Which engines are turbocharged and which aren't? The 80 300SD -
is this a 116 chassis or 126 chassis?

Pick which one you want most the wagon or the SD. Trade
(or sell) the one you don't want and buy the "other half"
to what you need. Either an SD drivetrain or a good wagon
body.

Signature

Need Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

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Tom Plunket - 10 Jan 2007 21:57 GMT

> Some parts are. The cylinder head is unique to the wagons
> and semi valuable.

What's interesting about the cylinder head? I just assumed that
everything in front of the back seats was the same between the D and
TD...

thx,
-tom!

--

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Richard Sexton - 10 Jan 2007 22:55 GMT

>> Some parts are. The cylinder head is unique to the wagons
>> and semi valuable.
>
>What's interesting about the cylinder head? I just assumed that
>everything in front of the back seats was the same between the D and
>TD...

There's a fittinmg for the hydraulic pump for the rear self
levelling suspension that other diesels don't have.

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PT in OR - 13 Jan 2007 02:34 GMT

> >> Some parts are. The cylinder head is unique to the wagons
> >> and semi valuable.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net
> 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

Thanks everyone for your input. I think i'm gonna move the TD drive
train into the SD. I love the way the SD looks, but the TD runs too
well to let it go for what I'll get for it with a rotten body. Today it
was 20 degrees and it started right up with no block warmer--just
preglowed for 90 sec. I'll wait until it warms up a bit before I do the
work. Maybe a perfect TD body will fall in my lap before then....
Thansk again.
~~P

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Kathy23805 - 26 Jan 2007 03:25 GMT

I had a 300d that was rear ended and totalled, but everything in front
of the back seat was mint and I had just put in a new tranny. I
bought a 1984 300d, drove it for a year and the tranny went, I had the
engine, tranny, the airconditioner, along with the entire interior
transferred from the 83 to the 84 and it looks and runs great!
These cars are gems, no matter how old they are, don’t just get rid of
them if you can rebuild them at a reasonable cost. I paid about 2
grand and I’m thrilled! I would have paid more for another used car
and would have had no idea what I would have had to put in it to run
as good as what I have now

> I'm in a bit of a quandary. I have an '81 300TD wagon.
> Mechanically
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
> matters.
> Thanks!

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