My 1985 300D - Printable Version

My 1985 300D - Printable Version

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My 1985 300D - Gasoline Fumes - 05-21-2009

I guess I should introduce my car. My neighbor bought a 1984 300D and got a 1985 "parts" car with some deer damage and a slipping tranny. In exchange for helping him get the '84 roadworthy, he gave me the '85. Broken odometer says 186,089 miles.
[Image: 300dfront.jpg]

It sat in an orchard for a couple of years because of the slipping tranny. I got it running and then let it sit for a couple more years. My neighbor "borrowed" a few parts from it and the turbo became partially seized. Just recently I got it running again and the turbo freed itself up once it warmed up and had fresh oil running through it. Right now the idle is pretty rough and it doesn't start as quickly as my neighbor's car.

I like small, lightweight Japanese cars that handle good. So why do I have a large German sedan that handles like a boat? I don't know, but I kinda like the damn thing. Being able to run it on WVO certainly adds to its appeal.

I want to simplify/lighten the car, put a manual transmission in place of the auto, dramatically improve handling and get more power out of it.

For looks, I want to:
replace the US headlights with the E-Codes (I have them already)
lower it a little (especially in the front)
possibly remove the side molding
black-out most of the chrome
add a front air dam (90s Dakota is a pretty close fit, just needs to be shortened)

And those awful front seats have to go. I might replace them with a pair of 80s Acura Integra seats I have. I just wish I had matching rear seats.

There is some old crash damage to the left rear quarter panel. It was badly patched with Bondo. The filler had become a water trap, so I pried most of it off. I'm not sure whether I want to try replacing the whole panel, my body working skills aren't great. And I'm still learning how to weld.

More recent pics:

Cleans up nicely
[Image: washed.jpg]

Not its good side
[Image: IMG_7362x.jpg]

Dakota airdam
[Image: Dakota-airdam.jpg]

RE: My 1985 300D - MB TECH - 05-21-2009

Its always good to see someone bring one back from the field instead of letting it rot. Keep us posted with updated pics.

RE: My 1985 300D - Gasoline Fumes - 06-11-2009

I did a compression test. They ranged from 300-350 PSI. Should they vary that much?

It sounds like it has a miss at idle, could that be an injector?

There isn't much more progress, but I found a complete and unused tool kit at the junkyard in a W126. Big Grin

RE: My 1985 300D - winmutt - 06-11-2009

(06-11-2009, 12:45 PM)Gasoline Fumes I did a compression test. They ranged from 300-350 PSI. Should they vary that much?

It sounds like it has a miss at idle, could that be an injector?

There isn't much more progress, but I found a complete and unused tool kit at the junkyard in a W126.

It shouldn't vary that much but what are you going to do about it? Did a valve job first right? Did you double check your adjustment numbers (as well as compression numbers).

Crack the injector lines to find the culprit.

RE: My 1985 300D - JB3 - 06-11-2009

I love this 90s dakota air dam idea. Can you take a larger picture? I immediately want to do the same thing.

I don't see any cracks in the dash, pretty amazing. How does the left rear door open? is it squeezed by the accident damage?

RE: My 1985 300D - Gasoline Fumes - 06-12-2009

(06-11-2009, 01:50 PM)winmutt
(06-11-2009, 12:45 PM)Gasoline Fumes I did a compression test. They ranged from 300-350 PSI. Should they vary that much?

It sounds like it has a miss at idle, could that be an injector?

There isn't much more progress, but I found a complete and unused tool kit at the junkyard in a W126.

It shouldn't vary that much but what are you going to do about it? Did a valve job first right? Did you double check your adjustment numbers (as well as compression numbers).

Crack the injector lines to find the culprit.

I haven't done a valve adjustment yet, that's next on my list.

I tried cracking the lines, but it was spitting diesel at me. I'll have to do it again with a rag over them.

(06-11-2009, 10:28 PM)dropnosky I love this 90s dakota air dam idea. Can you take a larger picture? I immediately want to do the same thing.

I don't see any cracks in the dash, pretty amazing. How does the left rear door open? is it squeezed by the accident damage?

Attached should be two more pics of the air dam. I'm going to cut it in the middle and take out a piece so it will be the right length. The Blazer/Jimmy air dams are close too.

The dash has about 3 small cracks in it. Hopefully I don't add any, I have the dash out to access the mouse nests that the car has acquired.

The door works fine, but the gap is tighter than the others and it doesn't sound quite the same as the other doors when you close it. The trunk floor is buckled a little on that side, I don't know if the suspension was affected or not.

CARFAX 05/31/1997
Florida
Police Report
Case #545066340
Accident reported Involving left side impact with another motor vehicle

RE: My 1985 300D - garage - 10-04-2010

Oh shit! That airdam look bitchin!!
How much length needs to be taken off to make it fit?

This is somthing im going to start looking for right away at the junk yard!

Beautiful!!

Especially on a slammed CD...oooohhhhhhhhhhh

RE: My 1985 300D - JB3 - 10-04-2010

(10-04-2010, 08:46 PM)garage Oh shit! That airdam look bitchin!!
How much length needs to be taken off to make it fit?

This is somthing im going to start looking for right away at the junk yard!

Beautiful!!

Especially on a slammed CD...oooohhhhhhhhhhh

Its amazing how perfect it works on the 123. makes me wonder if 90% of all the small/midsize pickup air dams would work.

RE: My 1985 300D - garage - 10-04-2010

At Ecology junkyards they will let you take parts out to your car if you leave them your lisence and they mark the piece.
I cant wait to start cruising through the domestic isles more looking for airdams Big Grin

This is cool

RE: My 1985 300D - Gasoline Fumes - 10-05-2010

I hate to admit it, but I sold the 300D a while back.

You can sort of see how much needs to be removed by the overhang on the other side. I think it was around 2". I wasn't too concerned about making the seam look good since the license plate would mostly hide it. I was looking at the Blazer airdams too, I think they're about the same size. Bigger trucks will just need their airdams shortened a bit more. They're not hard to find, but I still have the Dakota airdam if anybody wants it.

RE: My 1985 300D - garage - 10-05-2010

Well its probably a good time to go buy another one Tongue

Its made out of a like plastic/abs type of material correct?
So if i cut out 2inches of the center, how would be the best way to go about getting it molded back together? Fiberglass?
any ideas?

RE: My 1985 300D - Gasoline Fumes - 10-05-2010

I never gave it much thought, I was just happy to find an air dam. I was thinking I'd end up sandwiching something on both sides of it and bolting/screwing the whole thing together. Nobody would notice as long as it's all painted black. Maybe the section that was cut out can even be used as the front layer of the "sandwich."

I'll get another Merc when I find a cheap, rust-free 300D-T with a 5-spd and LSD. Tongue

RE: My 1985 300D - garage - 10-05-2010

(10-05-2010, 01:33 PM)Gasoline Fumes I never gave it much thought, I was just happy to find an air dam. I was thinking I'd end up sandwiching something on both sides of it and bolting/screwing the whole thing together. Nobody would notice as long as it's all painted black. Maybe the section that was cut out can even be used as the front layer of the "sandwich."

I'll get another Merc when I find a cheap, rust-free 300D-T with a 5-spd and LSD.

Hmm well im gonna have to work with it to make that fit, because i LOVE the way it looks.

How about a 300CD, with a 5 speed, manual windows and sunroof, and LSD...that sounds sweeeeet.

A 240CDT i like the sound of that!

RE: My 1985 300D - Gasoline Fumes - 10-05-2010

(10-05-2010, 03:48 PM)garage How about a 300CD, with a 5 speed, manual windows and sunroof, and LSD...that sounds sweeeeet.

A 240CDT i like the sound of that!

Sounds good! Can I have 15" Bundts and Euro bumpers on it too? Big Grin

RE: My 1985 300D - garage - 10-06-2010

(10-05-2010, 06:33 PM)Gasoline Fumes
(10-05-2010, 03:48 PM)garage How about a 300CD, with a 5 speed, manual windows and sunroof, and LSD...that sounds sweeeeet.

A 240CDT i like the sound of that!

Sounds good! Can I have 15" Bundts and Euro bumpers on it too?

OF COURSE!
as long as i can have my factory turbocharged om616 with 7mm elements..

RE: My 1985 300D - Captain America - 10-09-2010

and 1,000,000 hp and torque....

RE: My 1985 300D - garage - 10-10-2010

(10-09-2010, 12:58 AM)Captain America and 1,000,000 hp and torque....

GEEZ Captain! First of all with my superduper 4speed tranny and ice cold air intake..i have atleast 1,000,000 ft lbs of torque, and my horsepower CANT be far behind

RE: My 1985 300D - 300D50 - 10-11-2010

wowza, you guys are weaklings! my 616 that drinks it's own oil puts out 1.21GW (1,622,636.73 hp)! [Image: icon_mrgreen.gif]

RE: My 1985 300D - Captain America - 10-15-2010

I think my car is making negative horsepower at the moment... Sad

RE: My 1985 300D - garage - 10-17-2010

What happened now?