W116, BENZ AID - COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

I just bought a 1980 300d with 200k miles. It looks very well taken care off very clean and even the AC works. The problem is it will only shift the first 3 gears and will not do the last. I've been reading about checking the linkages for the Bowden cable to the transmission and throttle linkage to the injection pump,and vacuum hoses but how exactly do I calibrate or adjust the linkages? They look like they have threads to adjust but where is the right position? How is it adjusted clockwise or counter...Thank you.

At any altitude above 3000 feet my car's transmission shifts roughly, sometimes refuses to get out of second and when it does, will not go into fourth. I discovered this yesterday while on a trip up to Lake Tahoe- did not make for a pleasant experience as one might imagine. Is there a Barometric switch anywhere in the system that might have gone erk, or is there some other problem that might be the culprit? The Trans shifts normally here in the valley, if that's a help.

1986 300 sdl,"RennPanzer", 284K miles

I just bought a 1982 240D and am struggling with finding a good repair manual. I don't like the CD-ROM manuals that you can find at manualsunlimited.com b/c I like to have the physical manual in hand when I'm doing a repair. I also find the Chilton's manual to be way to general and not very accurate for my '82 240D. I see that mercedessource has a bunch of manuals for sale, that cover a wide variety of 240D related topics. But I don't see one or even two that combined are a comprehensive engine and body repair guide. Can anyone recommend a good service manual (Mercedes Factory manual in print?) or manuals that would cover most major maintenance and repairs? First up for me right now is glow plugs, valve cover gasket, vacuum pump gasket and brake master cylinder.

I have an '81, 300SD, that sat in a field for 2 years due to leaking engine oil cooler lines. Replaced lines, checked all fluids, started and ran, and then took it for first test drive. Noticed it was slow going into reverse. Have zero (0) power to power-brake booster. Figured vacuum pump needs to be either replaced or rebuilt. As I checked the transmission fluid, with the engine running and the transmission in park, when I checked the fluid it seems to be over-full. Previous owner was adding Dextron/Mercon trans fluid. As I put it into reverse it is taking longer and longer each time for the reverse to engage. Are the above my problems, ie: vacuum, wrong trans fluid, improper checking technique, or is the transmission going south?