Hello,
I am new to the Mercedes scene with a $200 1975 240 D that I picked up locally. It has 130K miles is an automatic and was fully on the road a couple of years ago. I am the third owner, the second owner only had it since 2002 and prior to that it was the proverbial "old ladies" car and garaged since new.
It does need a drivers side front fender as this ones suffering from rust. Would anyone know where I could get one in Mass.? Also I am in need of a repair book for it. The Haynes line at the local parts stores only goes back to 1976. Is that book still good for engine/transmission work on the 75 model? Are there many differences between the 1975-1976 models? And if so what is the best book to get?
I am still in the evaluation stage and will know more once I get into it. That will be when I can find the time. This will be a biodiesel burner once it is setup so I'll be changing some lines and try to procure some seals that might be needed in the fuel system. I'd just rather do them now so I don't have to think about them in the future.
I'll list photo's when complete.

 

so little change between 75 and 76.

every 4 years, they do big changes. just use it. better than nothing.

 

Good luck on the biodiesel conversion. I understand it's a good idea to have a little tank of regular diesel to start the engine with -- apparently pure biodiesel or vegetable oil doesn't work well until the engine has warmed up a bit. Some conversion kits supply this and a switchover valve.

 

Yea, I've heard of the two tank method and I will probably go that route as I am in the Northeast and the temps are not always warm enough for this stuff. Lately not even in the summer. Will post progress on the Bio fuel when I run it. As for now I am still looking for a couple of front fenders for my 1975 240D so I can finish it off and then start work on a VW I picked up for the wife. Older one to. 1983 2 door Rabbit. To bad the domestic manufacturers didn't hit the market regularly with diesel cars. Hard finding parts for the european ones sometimes. Especially when you are using them as daily transportaion as we are and need to keep them running and safe for a reasonable price.[IMG][/IMG]

 

As for manuals -- I don't know if this is still an option, but in 1980 I ordered original M-B pubs on the 180-D from M-B of North America, Inc., in Trenton, NJ. I even phoned them up and they sent me some supplementary material on injection timing which wasn't included in the regular engine manual. Do they still exist? Anybody else tried them? The manuals were right pricey but far more detailed than Clymer's-type stuff.

Sure like to hear how the biodiesel conversion goes when you get to it.