larger tires, engine belly pan, turn signal adjusting, best manual

[western flyer]

I've had my 300TD for about a year now. I have 4 questions to put out there:
1. I hit a big fat dead raccoon on the road the other night and it ripped off the body piece known as a "belly pan". This component covers the bottom of the engine and acts as a dust cover? Anyway, I'm looking for another one that fits my 87 diesel wagon. I'd like to find a used one before I choke up the bucks for a new one. Any Leads?

2. I want to increase my tire size to a higher profile tire (greater diameter). I drive the California Hwy one coastal route every week and am always dodging dead animals and debris in the the remote and curvy cliff side hwy. I don't really need racy looking low profile tires. I just want to make my 300TD better for my "country road" use. I'm thinking of going from a 195x15x65 tire to a 205x15x70, or 215 or 220, but I don't know if the tires will rub somewhere. Has anyone out there tried this?

3. My turn signal work ok turning to the left, but turning to the right they won't go off. I have to oversteer past "straight ahead" to get them to turn off. How does one adjust for this?

4. What is the most useful shop manual for this vehicle. (87 300TD wagon).

[E V12 Nerd]

Youll be fine with the tires. You could probably go up to 265 rears on 18" wheels if you felt like it. I wanted to add a question, how much wider can the tires be on the E500 due to the larger fenders?

[Greg in Oz]

western flyer - 3/10/2004 10:15 AM

I've had my 300TD for about a year now. I have 4 questions to put out there:

2. I want to increase my tire size to a higher profile tire (greater diameter). I drive the California Hwy one coastal route every week and am always dodging dead animals and debris in the the remote and curvy cliff side hwy. I don't really need racy looking low profile tires. I just want to make my 300TD better for my "country road" use. I'm thinking of going from a 195x15x65 tire to a 205x15x70, or 215 or 220, but I don't know if the tires will rub somewhere. Has anyone out there tried this? (87 300TD wagon).

Just remember that if you increase the overall diameter of your tyres say 5%, your speedo and odometer will read 5% low.