I just bought this 1983 300td wagon. It is a nice car, however I have a couple of questions. What rpm should it run at 60 mph. It seems a little high to me. How hard is it to turn the idle up on it. My haynes manual only explains how on the older ones. Any info would be greatly helpful..

 

You didn't buy mine 83' 300 tdt? Sold it in Bay Area about 6 months ago.
The tachometer on mine broke right after I bought it, but if I recall it, the red-line was about 4500 rpm at 100 MPH.
that would make about 3000 at 60 mph.
The idle adjustment is long screw with 14 mm locking nut on the side of the injection pump. The screw is so long, that require extra long socket to loosen the nut, or some gimmick with open wrench. From what I remember it is facing the sky, when you look from the top of the engine. Once you loosen the nut, you can turn the screw with a screwdriver. I guess factory mechanics have special wrench for it, since turning the nut usually turns the adjusting screw as well.

 

Thanks for the info, I turned the idle up about 100 rpms to about 750 and the motor seems to idle a little smoother now. It has 165000 on it and the timming chain has never been changed, do you think it is most likely time? My car came from IA by the way, so I kind of doubt ist is your old one, but you never know

 

Is it bamboo color?
Never have heard about need to replace timing chain on those engine. Mine had over 250,000 when I sold it, but those odometers like to stop after few years.