I have my remanufactured engine from Metric Motors in the car and
running good.  My 1982 300 TDT has never run this good since I got
it.  It had 144,000 miles on it when I bought it in 1993.  The
remanufactured engine runs great.  It has a solid, even smooth feel as
you go down the road.  Pinning the speedometer is no problem.

It starts instantly when the very first cylinder goes past TDC, and
when you shut it off, it stops instantly too because of the high
compression.  I had Mike at Metric put in new sleeves and use new
standard pistons, so the engine is really just like new.

I had trouble with the EGR valve not sealing.  I decided to just close
it off, so I cut a gasket out of exhaust gasket material (the kind
with a metal layer in the middle) and put in a gasket with no
opening.  So I don't have all that carbon recycling through the
engine, I am running on clean air only.  I live in a remote desert
location and we do not have to have our cars smog tested in my county,
so I will be able to keep the motor set up like that.

I also put in a new AC evaporator, compressor, cleaner and expansion
valve.  I got it charged with R-12. I had put in a new mono valve and
electronic control unit recently and the climate control works just
like new too.  It gently adds just enough heat or cooling to keep the
interior at the temperature you set the thermostat to.  All the vacuum
actuators are new and everything works just like it was designed to.

I replaced the backup lights and RPM sensor yesterday.

I want to get a separate power amp and a better 12" subwoofer in my
boom box and then the sound system, which is already very good, will
totally kick a.s.

I put in a new cruise control actuator last winter and I put in a re-
engineered cruise control amplifier too, so the cruise works
perfectly.

I removed the entire interior when I put in the AC evaporator and had
everything cleaned and put in all new custom top of the line sheepskin
on the seats and headrests and armrest.  In part of my business I
create fine mahogany cabinets for retail displays.  I used my workshop
and skills to make solid mahogany pieces to replace the fake walnut on
the dash and console, so I have solid real red mahogany in the
interior.

Mike put a block heater in for free, so now I have a car that I can
drive to Minnesota in the winter if I want to visit my family there.

So I am riding in a deluxe like new Mercedes of the old hand made
vintage, but it looks like a pretty basic old car even though the
clear coat finish is still like new, so I travel under the radar.