My son's 1980 300SD 116 with ~200M well tended miles has had it's vacuum pump disintegrate. The ultimate result is a camshaft with 3 non-contiguous pieces. He recalls a sudden very bad chug-chug-chug and then a load metallic snap! This really left me po'd because we had just spent $1100 on a new timing chain, guides, power steering pump seal, and a few other steps toward perfection.
I am about to pull the engine and go in to see how bad it is. Assuming the pistons survived, I'd like to resleeve the cylinders, renew the head, and renew the bearings without machining the crank to go another 100M.
Are there any specific other things to look for in the 300SD while i'm in?
I think I can do it for under $2000 in parts and machine shop. I prefer this to shooting craps with a used engine.
Also, we have rainwater leaks under the front dash that fill the ventilation fan housing. Any typical place to look for the leaks? The air box drains are clean.
Hope to hear from y'all.
Car Lot Dad
1980 300SD 200M+
1986 300SDL 220M
1986 Toyota Cressida 175M
1990 Isuzu Troopa 225M
1996 Suburban 145M to tow the rest with