i just finished my first transmisson swap, with engine still in reciever car. junkyard transmission. And although i think the next time will be much easier, its still a dog of a job, and I doubt your mechanic is willing to warranty the labor for installing a used transmission if'ing it turns out to be bad. If you like the car and plan to keep it get yours rebuilt or get a rebuilt one OR get a junk yard one from a wrecked vehicle and do it yourself, cheap and you learn a bunch. In fact find a 4-speed from a 240 and put that in there.

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1996 E300 110,000
1985 300TD 212,000
1980 300D 238,000

Yeah I know there are a lot of variables with a used trans from the JY.

There is a 85 380SE and a 91 300SE in the PNP that look garaged kept that didn`t sell off the used car lot and were wholesaled off. PNP bought them cheap. those wouldn`t be bad. most at the JY I see why they ended up there. It`s a crap shoot buying a 200K + mi car also.

The miles on our 123 have been a mix of highway city. but do keep up on the trans sevice. running synthetic since the last service, and a new K-1 kit. It`s never shifted so smoooooooth.
But I do have a manual 4-speed just waiting for that day.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Just reporting back..

Mechanic installed used transmission.. supposedly from an '85. so far so good. swapped out radiators while he was at it. whole job was about $1200 so i'm glad to have the car back in service.

getting the old girl back in shape after giving it to my son to use at university. cleaning it up... shining paint... emptying ashtray .... replaced antenna mast... reinstalled driver's side seat back... bought front passenger door interior wood piece that was broken...

now if someone will tell me how to reattach passenger side front door outside cladding with the dealer supplied clips that don't look like the originals or fit !! i'll be done for now.

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R Martin
Dallas, TX (Addison)

86 560SEL, 128K

i always agree with Hatteras, get that used tranny rebuilt for $500 and you be good to go, also how much money you expect from old mers w/ bad tranny??? doesnt worth selling it

We have a trans out of our parts car....the shop is checking it out (we have a local good rebuilder! lucky us!) Even if it needs a full rebuild they said it'd only be about $800-900.....if it looks good inside then only about $300 to replace all the seals. Pretty nice having a local shop.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I have a 84 300sd and the torque converting is starting to 'shudder' also the front main seal looks like it has a small leak. Would buying a rebuilt and swapping it out really take three hours? I can rent a transmission jack but I was under the impression the whole engine/trans has to come out as one piece.

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I'm a couple hours away in MI. Who's your good local rebuilder?

Only takes a few hours. You don't have to take the engine out, the trans drops right down, all the room in the world. Get underneath and take a look.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I'm interested too, might have my spare freshened.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff