ok thanx, thats what I did not understand. I think I will just modify a W201 shifter. looks like a simple cut and weld on a couple of the ears.

How does it turn out? Can the 201 shifter be made to work?

got a flywheel woohooooo now I will start working on the shifter mod, unless someone out there has a 5 speed shifter for a w123 sitting on the shelf. The shifter was frozen up so I pulled it apart, makes changing the arms easier anyway. there are a couple bushings that are toast< i will go to MB and get those parts monday. Anyone have a serial number for a w201 5 speed car I can give the part guy so he can actually look up the part? Thanx. shifter mod proposal attached

does anyone have a 4speed shifter that can take some detailed photos of the six views? or a link to a place with good pictures? I would like to see if the 4 speed can be made into a 5 speed shifter or if the w201 guts will fit the w123 body.

Thanx

Will the 4speed need to be out of the car? Would pics from underneath be of any assistance? I'm guessing you do not need interior pics, right?:D See what's in my signature?

yeh Im looking for the top, bottom and side views of a shifter out of the car. Its the best I can do without a shifter. I have one in my car but I dont want to fool with it because its my daily driver until I get a 5 speed shifter and my flywheel back from balancing

Well, I just picked up a 1978 240D 4speed last night, but I wasn't planning on removing anything. Bought a new battery for it this morning since I had to return the PO's battery that he had in the car --- it was the wrong size anyway.

Just trying to help.

Did you ever find out for sure if a four speed shifter doesn't turn into a five speed shifter by a modification? I spoze that would be too good to hope for.

I am going to look at it for sure, I just need an extra 4spd shifter. I have been hoping to find another at the yards but I am not finding anything now that Im looking. I have one in my car but it is my daily driver. In looking at the w201 it looks like it might be possible although the reverse switch mount will be in the wrong place for a 5 -R pattern, but the pattern itself is controlled by a removable plate that looks like it could be modified, thats why I was looking for a picture of the bottom to see if it has the same plate.

Well it would certainly be interesting if all you had to do is remove or, what ever with some bushing in the 4 speed, 123 shifter. I dont have one sitting around.

W123 4 speed to 5 speed shifter is possible but I dont think the result would be good enough for me. required mods after disassembly to make it work as far as I can tell with my first inspection:

1. bend stop tab on shift arm housing back to its original position, this is what causes you to have to lift the shift knob to go to reverse
2. remove plastic material that prevents rearward movement of the shifter in the reverse gate.
3. cut and weld arms to appropriate length and center them up

disadvantages of converting w123 shifter.

1. no reverse lockout
2. shifter will not self return to ceter gate
3. most likely the feel will be all wrong as the R gate will now be 1-2 and the spring will fight you going into 1-2 gate

My plan is to cut and weld the arms on the w201 shifter as shown previously, as far as mounting I think I will make a thin adapter plate so I do not need to drill my tunnel to bolt in the w201 shifter. I should get my flywheel back from balance next week, so I will most likely work on the shifter next weekend.

cheers