Well, after a couple of months of searching, I found my first W116, a 1979 300SD. It was in the same family for the past 15 years. Not my first diesel, had a 84 300D, and a 88 190D. Lots of parts for the 84, the 190D got great mileage but wasn't built as well (IMHO) as previous incarnations. I had a chance to buy a 1979 300SD a year ago (with no blow by, and a new WVO kit installed plus another car as a parts car..for 800... :-[ but didnt have any extra cash laying around, and its now gone ).
After several searches, I found this one on CL in Missouri, and after a nice visit with the owner, came to a price and drove the car home the next weekend. Other than needing new glow plugs and a lower oil cooler hose, car has the usual vacuum issues. No rust, and the glass seems really good on it, so thats a good start!
I have grown to appreciate the lines of the car, the construction quality seems more robust, and the mechanicals seem simpler. Except for the ACII...but a manual conversion is coming I hope.
I am impressed with the in depth study of the W116 on this site, and hope to be a contributor in the months to come! I am working on a manual climate control solution using a setup from another common car, just need to tear into my dash and see how things are routed. The servo is trash and has already been bypassed, at least I still have heat and defrost (I could make beef jerky in there..:) )