MC-Professor

I just bought a 1981 300D. When I first drove her, she did not like shifting into second while in Drive, and shifted hard when in Second, shift to 3rd was smooth as butter.

Previous owner said the trans was rebuilt recently. Fluid level correct, and clean.

Since I got her home, I have:
- changed the oil (3x, still looks like crude)
- new H2O pump (blew up on first trip to get fuel)
- changed fuel and PS filters.

Took her out for a spin to get more fuel would not shift into third, go up to 40 MPH.

- Checked vacuum lines, fond that some were routed incorrectly, fixed that, but still no 3rd gear.

Any ideas?

MC Professor

Speedriven1

Check adjustment for the trans linkage

MC-Professor

Got it fixed.
Not sure exactly what changed, but it turns out that the PO rerouted the vacuum lines, and had a separate vac pump (not working) just for the transmission ( no bleed off) not sure how that was supposed to work.

Anyway, I returned the lines back to where they are supposed to be and she shift correctly again. have to find the Bowden cable so I can adjust the shift points. No I have to manually shift or , she slips in 1st and second and I'm in 4th at 20MPH.

Speedriven1

Good luck. The 300d trans can be difficult to adjust properly. You have vacuum and cable operating it. Reroute everything back to stock. They work perfect when everything is routed and adjusted correctly. Keep us updated

MC-Professor

OK, now I am lost.
Got the vacuum lines routed tot he correct positions with the correct sized tubing. Have to manually shift or I will be in 4th gear before I reach 25MPH. Looked for Bowden cable... The only cables I could find near the transmission are the Emergency break cable and the Speedo Cable.

The only cables connecting to the throttle linkage are Cruise Control and Idle adjust.

Is mine supposed to have a Bowden cable? If so where is it supposed to be? I would not be surprised if the PO removed it and did not replace it.

MC-Professor

Attached is a pic of my linkage. The two knobs on top, I presume one is supposed to have the Bowden cable attached, What is the other for?

MC-Professor

Here's a close up