manual transmission swap

Sorry I can't get the "search" to work and I'm short on time...

I saw both a 220d and a 300d (both late 60's or 70's) today previewing an auction. one had a 6? cyl diesel and a standard trans. Don't remember which one...I could pick it up most likely for aroud 40 or 50 bucks...there is very little that would be salvageable few trinkets, maybe a couple of odds and ends.. But storage is no problem.

First thought was crusher food ( they are ROUGH)...then I got to thinking about that manual trans...everything is there for that...and I've been looking at a 300d turbo diesel Coupe (83 I think, looks just like my 81 240d) that is cherry but for a minor ding in the front and for some reason ended up with a "dismantel only" title...Iam tring hard to get it for a parts car...

So if the motor has to come out anyway will the trans from the 6cyl. diesel fit the turbo motor???
I don't have any solid plans... but I may be gathering parts for a "Diesel project"


Sorry I don't have more details but when I looked at it I really never gave it more than a glance...but the auction is Sat. morning and I wil not have time to check further unill it's buy or don't time...

Thanks
Bret

[R Leo]

If you've described the years and models correctly, neither of those two vehicles would have had a 6-cyl diesel.

But, if it really, truly is a 300D with a manual (either the 115 chassis-up to 1975 or the 123 chassis - up to 1985), then it would almost certainly have to be a Euro spec car. I'm pretty sure that the 115 pedal group doesn't swap to the 123 chassis but, darn near everything else will. So, in that case, I'd pick it up because it will have a lot of the stuff you'd want for a conversion to manual in a 123.

OTOH, if it's a 220D with a manual, I'd probably pass it up. These trannies are stout but that one was never intended to have an OM617 in front of it. Over the years MBZ made a lot of changes to the manual tranny that included things like beefing the 1-2 and rev gears and their associated bearings.

Good luck.

Hey thanks for the info...The more I think about it the more I think it was a 300d and would have to be the 115 chassis...I know VERY little about all this but I know mine is a 1981,123 and it was older than that...I don't know if I will be able to get this or not but I am thinking about it...

Pedals will not mater that much as I will not be converting mine and the one I'm looking at for an engine doner will have to be scraped...I am just toying with ideas but thinking maybe an S10 pickup??? turbo diesel?? big intercooler??? 4 speed...maybe running bio diesel or a blend??? just for a toy mind you
Would have to be easier than a small block in a Volvo and I read about those all the time...

Can you tell I have a real good friend that owns a wrecking yard??

Thanks again.