I've got the tranny and I may know of a 81 300CD. Think it would transplant without any hacking?
Dave

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Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

I am looking at that CD also...

The '85 transmission should be mechanically close, at least enough so it should bolt up to the '81 engine. The gear ratios should be similar if not identical but the torque converter will have a higher stall speed (~2600 RPM) in the '85, according to the factory "Introduction into service" manual for the 1985 model year (page 97).

Also, if the '85 is a California version, it will have a 722.416 (W4A020) transmission; the Federal versions have a 722.315 (W4A040) transmission (page 12 of the same manual).

The 722.416 is a first-gear-start transmission, I don't know about the others.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

The w123 in 1985 has some differences in the tranny.

Could just put the whole drivetrain from the wagon in...

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Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

Is the 81 cd a turbo? I think it is. So shouldn't the 85 tranny be pretty compatible?

Tom W

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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.

Most aren't, but some are.....

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Think this is a factory rebuilt motor? The owner said its rebuilt and I looked quick at the sticker on the valve cover near the back and its hard to see much on it besides USA which makes me think it came from Germany maybe. Well it should be mine this week.

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Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

Maybee I'm wrong, but I beleive all MBZ trannys have the same gear ratio.( at least the ones that fit our cars)

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

what about a 1984 300dt trans fitting into a 1985 tdt california version?

I think maybe that sticker comes from the factory on a new car.

Tom W

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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.

Really? Think it could still be whole after 26 years? I'll have to look at it again and see if there is anything else beisdes USA on it. Its just that the cover looks like a kinda funky shade of color to me also. It looks like it could be new. He said the engine was rebuilt 5 years ago. I need to ask for what kind of paper work he has, maybe it shows that it was a factory motor.