I just bought a 1980 240D 4 speed. High mileage but runs great and well maintained, very little rust.
I am going to do a valve adjustment first thing along with an oil change.

And over the next few weeks will change the coolant, belts, hoses, trans oil, and re-pack wheel bearings.

Is there anything else I should look into? And what kind of gear oil would the tranny use? should I through some Lucas additive in there for good measure?
Does is need Extended Life SCA coolant?
And im assuming Rotella 15w-40 will be just fine......?

Thanks

 

Ok I will use a synthetic oil....5w-40

Which is recommended from the factory for the trans oil? ATF or 5w-30? Would it be beneficial to go to a slightly thicker oil like 5w-40 in the trans to cushion worn parts as it is a higher mileage car?

And do I have to get this coolant from a MB dealer?


And what are you guys using as a fuel conditioner? Howes? Two stroke oil?

 

Why don't these pumps need an lubrictaion additive to compenstate for ULSD?

 

Are these IP's lubed by engine oil?

 

This I don't agree with. The new ULSD wreaks havoc with old pumps, seals, orings etc...
Old motors were designed to run on the fuel of that era, which had up to 5000ppm of sulfur in it, an essential lubricant. Now, they are threatening to provide a diesel fuel with NOppm of sulfur!

 

Then how come old pumps, rebuilt or not, are failing at an alarming rate?along with rubber parts such as return lines and orings.
All the research that I have done points directly to a loss of lubricity.

I am a truck driver and equipment operator always running old equipment, and as I move from company to company I see noticable difference in who has the most injection issues....always those who don't use a lube additive of some sort.


I run a 5% biodiesel blend when possible but I use Howes or two-stroke oil any other time.