1990 300GD (463) newbie questions
Hi All (broad and blonde and otherwise),
I got my 90 300GD yesterday. I have a few questions. First I noticed that the most forward frame crossmember (the round tube which runs under the radiator from right to left) has welded endcaps on it. There are recessed hex head bolts on each end but the tube is not open as it was on my 1980 230G or 99 G500. What is in there? Do I want to know?
Snce this is a 463, I went looking for the front and rear dif flock actuators (where the hydraulic and vacuum meet). They were attached to the frame rail under the driver's seat on my G500 but I cannot find them on the 90 300GD. Maybe they are in that front tube??
I love this truck - that engine is wonderful (my daughter said the truck purrs) and it does indeed.
Any hints on glow plug replacement - It looks like the intake should come off to do this? I am planning on replacing all while I am there although only one is testing bad at this point. Wiht our Alaska winters- I want to leave as little as possible to chance.
OK enough for now!
Adam
that was quick, shipping I mean, I believe the actuators are under the bonnet near the bulk head. Noticed the hex nut but i always thought thats where they needed to hold the cap to weld inside the tube then plugged hole with hex nut. Your right though that engine is sweet when its running. Dont' be afraid to rev it either.
Alaskswagen
Almost guessing here -- but I seem to recall that somewhere in the 25th Anniversery book there was a reference to a brake upgrade and the use of the front tubular cross member as an additional vaccum chamber( for diesels only? ) -- in which case there is almost nothing in there except a few lonely air molecules -- but presume you should see vaccum pipe/s connected to if this were the case? or were they plumbed via Hex nuts and subsequently removed / modified?
Marcus
Well done on collecting the new G. I hope that you are pleased with it. What's the vin no.
The front sealed tube is indead as Marcus says a vacuum reservoir for both brakes and diff locks. No maintenance req'd.
The pressure intensifiers(MB name) are located under the front right(seated inside) wing above the plastic liner. You can not see them until you remove the liner. The early 463s had a mechanical vacuum pump mounted on the front of the engine .You will see the 1/2 " plastic line going to it from the booster and also splitting up and going to the reservoir. The vacuum system is totally reliable and I have not heard of the problems associated with the 500G electric pump business. .
Glow plugs do require changing . Do all of them of course. They are about £7 each in UK.
I paid someone to do mine as I believe it is a really fiddly job. Use 3/8" drive sockets etc. The manifold does not need to be removed. The entire air filter box can be removed using 4 10mm bolts which will allow access below the manifold v easily.
I'm sure you know how to deal with cold winters but get a good battery, they can be fitted with a 100 Ah one(MB) which will give you plenty of glow time in the cold. They draw 160A when first hit. They also continue to glow after start up until the engine gets to 20C.
Let's have some photos when you are ready.
Regards
Roly
Adam
Interesting that you think the truck is cool when you also have a 300hp G in the driveway :shock:
I put your vin into my epc to see what your vehicle came with from the factory. It says you have air cond., a MB phone fitting, and an 80Amp alternator.
How did you G get to the US was it a private import and federalisation?
Re. glow plugs, I have not heard of the reaming you mentioned, I just fitted new glow plugs.
What's involved in the vege oil conversion?
Roly, This truck is so interesting I have sold the G500. So what's a couple hundred horsepower less? This truck makes me smile and smile. I have been volunteering to drive places now. My wife also loves this truck and so its a race to garage to see who gets to the driver's door first.
This truck was brought in by a German and I am not sure it was properly federalized - it is like my 1980 230G Cabrio was - no side marker lights and a speedo in KMs. It didn't bother the authorities any here.
Yep I have air. No sign of the phone though (no great loss) and I am not sure about the alternator - is 80 Amp bigger than standard?
I'll let you know about the reaming process after I check with my mechanic. The veggie oil process is a lot of plumbing to keep the lines heated and some solenoid switches and pumps. I am probalby going to go with the frybrid system (frybrid.com). I'll prboably take that on this winter sometime. Right now the focus is on biodiesel as it requires no modifications and has a lower gel point that veggie oil.
I had the G in the mud yesterday and on a very steep and loose incline. I was suprised to find it come to a complete stop no matte how much throttle I gave it on this 40 degree slope with one front wheel up against a log. I put the lockers on with no effect - nothing was spining then I remembered the low gear. In the g500 I hardly ever ever needed it wtih all that power. I put it in low (g) and over and off we went with out a second thought. Ah the learning curve!
Adam
Well mine makes me smile also and at over 25 mpg cruising it is even bigger.
Gears are useful to get the most out of the engine, off and on road. I always go to low range when messing about on tracks. I usually take mine up to 4000 when keeping up with the traffic. It's a great engine and requires a different driving style from more powerful vehicles.
I'm pleased your wife enjoys driving it too. When I bought mine my wife was scared of it thinking that it would be too big. Now she prefers it to modern cars with their useless sight lines and curvy sides.
Totally agree with your comments Roly, unfortunately I only get about 24MPG running up hill, down dale etc, however just taken it on a 2K trip to France and got over 28! Some places possibly over 30, maybe b-French Diesel is higher quality than ours. Regarding Glowplugs they look a horrible job, but the mechanic only charged 1.5 hours labour.Doesnt Veggie Oil hammer the Injectors?
. I usually take mine up to 4000 when keeping up with the traffic.
WoW ! How fast do you drive over there? I pull 3500 rpms at 115 Kmph. You must be zipping around those hedgerows and wee paths!
Totally agree with your comments Roly, unfortunately I only get about 24MPG running up hill, down dale etc, however just taken it on a 2K trip to France and got over 28! Some places possibly over 30, maybe b-French Diesel is higher quality than ours. Regarding Glowplugs they look a horrible job, but the mechanic only charged 1.5 hours labour.Doesnt Veggie Oil hammer the Injectors?
Yes, French diesel is superior. A number of people in the motoring press noticed their diesel cars losing 1-2 mpg a couple of years ago. This is due to the introduction of 'City' diesel everywhere in the UK.
4000 when going through the gears :wink:
Adam,
I fully understand the smile in your face. Same thing happens to me. Hopefully, in a couple of weeks I'll have the G shipped over (with the rest of our things) to Spain. I cannot wait....
glad to see the back of us then r yer :cry:
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Hey guys, thanks for the information. Interesting use for those frame cross members. Maybe I should use another one for compressed air?
Vin is WDB463 327 170 72952.
Roly thanks for the tips on the glow plugs and for putting my mind to ease over where the intensifiers went. I like that location better than on the G500 where they were pretty exposed.
IN replacing the glow plugs do I need to ream out the chambers with a snazzy glow plug reamer? I guess it might depend on what I see in there - theis truck has been on 100% biodiesel for 6-8 months now. The PO had the fun job with the filters plugging and the fuel lines melting and that is supposedly all squared away now. I need to get my Biodiesel production on line now.
I was figuring on a better/bigger battery as well as fitting a Webasto heater too.
I'll post a link for photos this weekend hopefully.
I love this truck it is just SO cool. I'm going to leave now and go start it up and just listen to it run :D
Thanks,
Adam