PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - 5 spd conversion begun for 1975 w115 300D

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5 spd conversion begun for 1975 w115 300D

Hello,

I have begun my conversion project for my 1975 300D (w115). I found a rusty 1984 eurospec 240D that is serving as my doner car. I allready pulled all the transmission components from it. Any advise anyone has regarding installing shift linkage, pedals, hydraulic hoses for clutch, shifter in console, drive shaft legnth, etc will be appreciated.

Also, I will be parting out the rest of the 240D so if you need any parts let me know.

http://www.brooklynrail.net/brian/tr...en_75_300d.jpg

Auto Trans Blew in Virginia & had to tow it back to Upstate NY

The Doner Car - Euro-spec 1984 240D

Balancing flywheel and other parts

I heard a lot of feedback about match balancing. Since I was putting new seals, rings and bearings in my 300D motor, I decided to bring everything that could be unbalanced to be zero (neutral) balanced

Crank, flywheel, harmonic balancer, front crank pulley were brought to a machine shop where they were cleaned, measured for tolerances, and balanced (only the crank itself ended up being neutral balanced, everything else needed balancing).

It seems that the flywheel and front crank components may have been oddly (not neutral) balanced (but the crank itself was neutral balanced) - has anyone else found this to be the case on other 300Ds? http://www.brooklynrail.net/brian/tr...nced_parts.jpg

above: balanced / cleaned components - note the shiny new drill holes on the 240D manual flywheel, harmonic balancer and front crank pulley.

All you needed to balance was the flywheel.

When you get it all together I would love to see some performance numbers.

Hey guy keep up the good work with this nice thread !
I believe some member made a good thread oulining such a conversion but for a W123 chassis.

Do an archive search and you may find it.
Fairly detailed and mentioned many tips.

You may need to adjust the linkages based on my poor recollection of this or those thread(s).

The shifter rods will need to be shortened, probably.

Nice looking car. Is it that soft pumpkin pie color?

I'm going to do the shift linkages sunday, so I don't know for sure yet, but they seem ok.

The clutch and brake pedal assembly from the 84' 240d wasn't a perfect fit in the w115, I had to bend the brake and clutch pedals to get them where they were supposed to be (the clutch pedal was ontop of the gas pedal before I bent it).

Also had to shim up the transmission to get it up higher, before it was too low and made the engine pitch back so the clutch fan blades scraped against the top part of the fan shroud - Driveshaft is now in!!

I used to have a 76' orangish-tan (pumpkin pie) colored benz before this one - in the nighttime pic it looks like that color, but the otside is actually a desert sand tan sorta color

Neat project. For some reason, I actually prefer the interior space and ride of the 115 to the 123.

Not sure what differential ratio your 300D has but, you might consider installing a 3.07 out of a later 123 to achieve the full benefit of that 5-speed. My TD has a 3.07 and turns a sweet 2350 rpm @ 70 mph in fifth. Lately I've been getting an honest 28-29 mpg on the highway too.

Gotta get my 115 going soon!!!!!

If you're not going to put that passenger side view mirror on your 300D, I'll buy it :)
I'll send you a PM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgk202 (Post 2187821)

It looks like its the same color as my 1975 280 sedan. Its the best of the beiges from that era IMO.

Found this on another website. Were you the one who asked the question?

The answer:

"May be too much work

7 February 2009 - 8:02pm
admin
These are the issues you will be faced with. 1. Driveline with not be correct length. 2. Rear mounting plate won't line up. 3. Shifter and linkage will not line up. 4. Bell housing is different 5. Clutch slave hose may have to be fabricated... As they say, anything is possible but........"

I would love to do this to a w115 240d as well. As someone else mentioned, I too prefer the "feel" (ambiance) of the w115 Chassis. I especially like the way they look with the newer tail lights and euro bumpers. I saw a mint condition black car finished off that way one time, and almost wrecked my car doing double and triple takes looking at it. It had polished Bundts, and the whole combo was stunning. I realize taste is subjective however. Mine had the painted hubcaps like yours, and Michelin whitewall tires. Add hand painted pinstripes, and that was considered the height of taste back in the late 70s/early 80s. (I had my car from 82 - 84.)

I wish you all the best of luck. Looks like you are doing a great job. :)

Did someone say the 280 and 240 had different housings? That is incorrect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon_SLC (Post 2187999)

Found this on another website. Were you the one who asked the question?

The answer:

"May be too much work

These are the issues you will be faced with. 1. Driveline with not be correct length. 2. Rear mounting plate won't line up. 3. Shifter and linkage will not line up. 4. Bell housing is different 5. Clutch slave hose may have to be fabricated... As they say, anything is possible but........"

Yep that was me - driveshaft extended 3", Used 300D A/T cross member (had to be shimmed but lined up), the clutch slave hose is a low pressure hose and I just used 5/16" goodyear brand fuel line (it is nitrile lined and should be safe for brake fluid). Shifter lined up perfect & linkage seems right legnth (will let you know next week) , used the 240D adapter plate & had no bellhousing issues

It has been alot of work, but the engine and tranny are in the car now. Hope to have it running next week