First got into MB Diesels: November 04, when a 300D-T was given to me.

Most complicated project to date: EGR blocking kit installation + removing unnecessary vacuum parts

That is, until last Wednesday at the El Monte, CA, Pick-a-part:

10:30 Arrive, looking for hazard switch and a side mirror
10:45 Find one W123 in the whole place, and proceed to remove mirror, as well as the speedo from a total loss wrecked 240D
11:00 Realize that it's a stick shift, and that the shifter has 1-2-3-4-5-R: It's a 5-speed!
11:10 Upon closer examination, the shift knob is not genuine MB; what a cruel hoax--it's a "mere" 4-speed
11:20 Call a friend who informs me that I'll need large sockets, a hex socket, and probably some help, if I am to remove the transmission
12:00 Realizing that I don't have the proper tools on me, and remembering a lunch appointment, leave the yard with a stamp on my hand for reentry. On the way out, I notice the sign: "half price on transmissions today only". Torn between "back to the office" or "pounce on this opportunity."
3:30 After a visit to Autozone for some large sockets and a breaker bar, I'm back at the pickapart, alone, and start dropping the tranny
4:20 disconnected linkages, unbolted at the flex disk, pulled back the driveshaft, begin unbolting center support, as well as exhaust support; begin unbolting from the engine
5:00 aargh! some of the tranny-engine bolts are not 17mm, but actually 10mm hex sockets! Run out to the parking lot to the tool guy and buy a $10 set of hex sockets.
5:00 draining the tranny and the clutch, but the driver's side connection just won't open; so I decide to disconnect at the slave cylinder (?, i.e. passenger side of the tranny); all kinds of fluid all over me; by this time my face is speckled with black oil, kind of like the Sith guy on episode 2.
5:15 all the engine tranny bolts are off, and I expect the thing to drop, but it doesn't budge. I shake it back and forth, back and forth, while pulling toward the back, still doesn't drop. I'm getting desparate, as it is near closing time.
5:30 finally, the thing drops, onto a waiting back seat pulled from a Beamer nearby. I drag the seat with the tranny out from under the car and load onto the pickapart "shopping cart" they have for moving heavy stuff.
5:40 I realize the half shafts look good too, and I need one for my 300D-T, so I tear into the differential, unbolting the frame mount (scared me with a big thump as it dropped away from the frame), and unbolting the cover--very clean lube pours out (I forgot to use the drain)
6:00 Call my friend to ask what's next; following his instructions, I push off the retaining clip, and from the outside, begin hammering on the axle shaft with my breaker bar and a large wooden block found nearby as the hammer.
6:30 I'm driving off the parking lot, exhausted and hungry, but incredibly satisfied that I have reached another level in working on my car.

Of course, this would be a simple 45 min. operation for many, but remember, this was a first for me. What a rush it was to do this, comparable to some of my better rock-climbing days.
Now the tranny and axle sit in my trunk as prize trophies (total cost: $75 plus my time), but one of these days I'd like to rebuild the thing and actually install it, when and if my newly acquired 240D Manual requires it.

Many thanks to the members here whose posts gave me the encouragement and information to try something like this.

__________________
J. S. Park

'82 240D Manual 240D (sold)
'83 300D-T 230k (sold)
'84 300D-T 118k (sold)

But, doesn't it feel GOOD !?!?!!?!?!!
I see you also buy parts you don't need yet. Welcome to the club!!!

__________________
1984 300D Turbo Sedan (Hilda) 272,115 miles.....
Anthracite Gray/Palamino Leather, I am 3rd owner

2001 Dodge Stratus (Silver) (wifes) 55814 miles...

1982 280TE Wagon Astral Silver Metallic/
Anthracite Velour
260,512 miles (Eva)

1969 230 Sedan Olive Green/Black MBTex
4 Speed Manual
84,213 miles ????
Haus Frau


2004 Boreem Ninja Pocket Bike
Highly Modified 49cc (Ling Ling)

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

Woohooo! Nice job, welcome to the club.

__________________
'83 240D with 617.952 and 2.88
'01 VW Beetle TDI
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD
'89 Toyota 4x4, needs 2L-T
'78 280Z with L28ET - 12.86@110
Oil Burner Kartel #35

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...oD/bioclip.jpg

Gashoppa! you have made it to the next level. One must be very careful here. there will be thunder at the well.

The next level can only be reached by installing that tranny to full function. you are now sittin here in limbo...and cannot go back.



actually, that is very commendable. I don't think I would venture in that far, but it sounds like a blast.

here are a set of manuals, just in case you haven't run across it yet.

http://skinnerbox.steaky.org/Service/W123/Index/110index.html

cheers

__________________
1977 280 E
1994 C280
1992 190E (sold)

"Jump in the hatch and turn on the key, pop in the clutch and let the wheels roll free"

............a hell of a step up from an EGR kit!!

Congrats. You got two days work done in four hours!

Funny thing is- you will probably NEVER use that manny transmission in your 240D stick. They just don't wear out if taken care of. But you can always find a use for it in a project car with a knacked automatic.

__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

What pick-a-part in El Monte? Any 126's there?

__________________
The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Bruce, Why don't you get a 123 so you are not tormented by these kinds of stories ? LOLOL

There's one on Peck Road, just South of Live Oak.
This time, there was only one MB Diesel--the 240D. About a month ago, there were three W123's. I haven't seen any 126's for some strange reason either in El Monte or Sun Valley.

__________________
J. S. Park

'82 240D Manual 240D (sold)
'83 300D-T 230k (sold)
'84 300D-T 118k (sold)

My 84 300D (2nd owner) took its last drive.
I will start parting it out.
Blue interior and blue outside.
Everything in the car works.
Master cylinder 4 weeks old
rear calipers 1 year old
rear rotors 4 weeks old
If you need something just let me know.

__________________
2009 CLS550 55,000
2004 ML350 144,000
2004 X5 95,000
2002 X5 165,000
1996 320S 155,000 (sold)
1991 190E 192,000 (sold)
1989 300SE 160,00 (sold)
1984 300D 210,000 owned since 85, (sold)
1984 300SD 160,000 (sold)

Hmm, your announcement will probably get more coverage under it's own thread, but as long as you have it up, I have been looking for a rear passenger side door . . . Is it marine blue (no clearcoat)? No dents? How much would you want?

__________________
J. S. Park

'82 240D Manual 240D (sold)
'83 300D-T 230k (sold)
'84 300D-T 118k (sold)

I live in northern Ohio rustbelt.
This car was a daily driver.
All four doors have rust holes.
Frame is rustrd.
Brake lines rusted.
Fuel lines rusted.
Get the picture.

__________________
2009 CLS550 55,000
2004 ML350 144,000
2004 X5 95,000
2002 X5 165,000
1996 320S 155,000 (sold)
1991 190E 192,000 (sold)
1989 300SE 160,00 (sold)
1984 300D 210,000 owned since 85, (sold)
1984 300SD 160,000 (sold)