sorry to resuscitate this thread so late. I thought i had all the parts I needed for a 5spd swap into my '87 300d, but I'm still trying to figure out what I need to do for the flywheel. The tranny is from an '87 190 2.3, and I pulled the flywheel from that car as well, but it doesn't sound like i can use it. is that correct? what are my options for a flywheel then?

The gasser fw will probably bolt up and work but being a lot lighter it will allow the engine to vibrate more and it will not shift as well as with a heavy flywheel of the type designed for your engine.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

This old thread keeps getting dug up...

I just got my 190d 2.2 donor car for my 87 300d.

What is the general consensus on the rear end? Will the original 300d rear be too tall? The 190d is an 85.

The shift from 3rd to 4th in the 190 seems rather odd. 1-3rd gear is close then 4th is a big jump followed by 5th that only shaves off about 300rpm from 4th at highway speeds. I think 65mph gives me 2500 rpm, maybe a little less(2300?). I dont remember. Certainly no 3k rpm that the SD gives. So far I have been staying in 4th for city driving, seems about right. 5th gear in the city with a 2mph headwind will slow the 190 down to 20 mph.... silly under powered car

I tentatively plan on doing the swap this winter. I guess I will part the 190 out. I thought about putting the 300d's automatic into the 190 and driving it(fuel mileage) or selling it as a whole car.

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

bump. just trying to keep it on the first page till tomorrow.

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

Off the top of my head, I don't know the rearend ratio in an '87 300D, but it's easy enough to check. The ratio should be stamped onto an "ear" at the bottom rear-facing surface of the differential housing. If it's like most cars, you will have to clean some grime off of this surface to be able to read the markings.

My gut tells me that you will probably want a lower ratio (numerically higher) than for the automatic. With the W124 being a bigger and heavier car than the W201, you might find that you will want a lower ratio (numerically higher) to get the car moving from a dead stop.

SteveM.

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'93 190E/D 2.5 Turbodiesel 5-speed (daily driver)
'87 190D 2.5 Turbo rustbucket - parts car
'84 Dodge Rampage diesel - Land Speed Record Holder
'13 Ram 2500 Diesel
'05 Toyota 4Runner

This week I am going to put the 190 on a lift and check it out a little. So far the rust I have seen is pretty bad... who knows whats underneath.

I will look at the rear diff ratio of the 190. This weekend the 300d is getting new diff mounts and I will look at it's ratio. Out of the 2 diffs I hope I can use one of them. If not then I guess I have to shop around the junk yards for something I need. What models tend to have short rear ends?

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D