...For my '78 3000d, anything I should know before swapping out the auto? I have everything for the conversion: trans, crossmember, shifter, linkages, flywheel, clutch, front driveshaft and flex disc, clutch master + slave and fluid line, pedal assembly, and speedometer cable.

All said parts are from a '83 240d. It should go in without too much modification, right?

speedo cable from the 240 will likely be too short, you should try to find an auto 240 and get the trans crossmember and the speedo cable. the crossmember makes it a bolt in, no mods required except you might have to space it down to get rid of vibrations

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

The existing 78 300d cable will be the longest and easiest to use.

You will need to get the driveshaft cut to length and balanced.

Your lucky you got a manual trans!!!

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Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi

All for $150, gotta love 50% off sales at the junkyard.

So, will the 240 driveshaft work or will it (or the 300) have to be cut? Why would the 240 auto crossmember work, but this one won't?

Its all about position. The transmission sits 4" back on the 617 than it does with the 616.

It makes sense now, thanks for clarifying. Well, back to the yard i guess. So, I still need the driveshaft cut and the cross member or will the front shaft from a 300CD with a 4spd work? Hopefully it's still there. I chose the 240d because I figured it wouldn't have the power to cause much damage to the tranny.

Better run a search on Match Balancing the Flywheel.

Sometimes the flywheels and cranks are balanced as a unit if the crank will not balance at the factory by itself. When you remove the automatic fw from the engine you want to use you need to mark its position on the crank. Then when you have the fw you want to use take them both someplace where they can check them for balance. If the one you take off is not neutral by itself the new one must be match balanced to it. Most are neutral but some are not.

If you happen to get ahold of a fw that is balanced to the crank and don't realize it you will have an intolerable vibration and will have to take the tranny out and the fw off to rectify it.

I have done four stick conversions or similar and had one that was not neutrally balanced.

It is detailed in the factory service manual how to match balance.

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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.

your yard had a 300CD 4speed??? and you didn't offer the owner your life savings to aquire it? um, where is the yard? GO GET THAT FLYWHEEL!!! and yeah, the driveshaft will be closer than the 240 driveshaft, and it will have the balance wheel on it. but I bet you will still have to have it shortened...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
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My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

For sure, get that flywheel and driveshaft.

There are people that would pay a pretty penny for a 4-speed 300CD driveshaft.

Speedo cable. Comes in about 4 different varieties. Ends can be slotted (like screw driver not screw) or square or both. And in varying lengths. Make sure you have the ppl you get one from check it before they ship. (assuming what you haves doesnt work).

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Unfortunately, my speedo doesn't work, so I'll be finding a cable that isn't broken. Tomorrow, I find out if the 300CD's trans and shaft are still there. If it is, at least one flywheel/crossmember/driveshaft can be sold. Is the CD's the same total length about the same as a D?

Maybe, I should make an offer on the car as a whole if too many parts aren't missing.

No, the CD wheelbase is shorter. Thats why 280E/300CD manual parts are so much more valuable.

The differences is made up in the rear DS right?

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Should be in the front.