project 240d to euro 300d w/manual trans
 

the return of SQUASH!

going to put down some cash for a euro 300d with manual transmission mated to it. keeping the fingers crossed that it's a 5 speed. now i'm just looking for a staging area to do the transplant in the dallas area. too much a slop in the driveway.

quick question- will i need to get a new radiator?

I am glad to hear that the Squash will be making a come back. Jimmy will be so happy to hear about it. I have heard that it is better to get a bigger radiator, a 300D radiator. But I am not sure that it is mandantory to do so. If my 616 goes to hell on me, I dream of a 603. Mmmmmmm 603
There is a pick and pull salvage yard 30 miles from me that is swamped with Mercedes cars. I might make my way over there sometime soon to see whats available.

Andy called me this evening, and man what an uber W123 the Squash is going to be!!!! [and it couldn't happen to a nicer car]
That Euro 5cyl engine, I imagine replete with an "M" pump is mated to a 5 speed with the correct 300D flywheel!!!! It just doesn't get much better than that!!!! Awesome!!!!!
I want to put an NA 5cyl in China one day when the time comes for another engine. I don't imagine I'll be lucky enough to land a 5 speed tranny, but I'll be happy enough just to have a 4 sp that doesn't grind!
That engine going south on Andy is about the best thing that coulda happened to him. {that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.....} :o:o
BTW, Isn't the radiator for an NA 5cyl the same as a 4cyl??

what luck! the euro 300d w/ 5 speed come with everything from the oil cooler to the 5 speed knob! i'll just have to save enough to get a clutch disk, throw-out bearing, etc... and the rear triangle. the goal is to be running for the texas round-up in centerville.

I believe the correct rad is wider but does not have the overflow tank like the turbo equipped cars.

Well, that would not be the first Centerville visit for the Ol' Squash, but it would certainly be his most glorious with that drive train. I would love to see that car in the convoy down there. If I take China you will certainly have to slow down for me......:P

Yes you will need to replace the radiator for the manual tranny is different from the automatic tranny.

Most euro 300D's had 5 speed manuals. You can do this swap a much more expensive way by ordering the parts need at the dealer. ive priced it out and its 3grand between the tranny, pedal cluster, slave clyinder and reservoir and the other parts

The automatic radiator can just have the cooler ports plugged off. The brake reservoir already has a port for the slave cylinder hose.

true but It would look quite redneck

The only way you would know my 300D has manual climate control if you took off the dash otherwise it looks stock with the car.

How could that be possible unless somebody were to be crawling under the nose of your car? With the fan shroud in place the cooler ports are not visible from the egnine bay or outside of the car.

Since the 617a was never offered with a manual it would look kind of redneck to have a tiny non-turbo radiator.

I guess you are not quite observant and sharped eyed as I am when I look at cars. I notice little things like plugging off the holes that was orginally designed for an automatic tranny. But then agian most people dont take sharp look cars like I do. Its like the guy who sold me my 300D, told me it "rust" free but in the back of mind I knew it was just by looking at it closely.

Who cares? If you're that worried about the appearance of two brass holes in an obscure place then you'd probaby ***** a brick seeing a 240D with the wrong engine and a welded driveshaft!

I agree. I just want a good running good driving classic mb. The extra ports for the automatic are totally insignificant. In fact I am not sure you can even buy a new rad for the car wo them.

Besides whats wrong with being a redneck?:P

squash is already a manual. we just didn't know if the radiator was a bit bigger for the 300d motor. i really looks like the euro 300d should just bolt in -with a shorter drive shaft. just want to save some cash for new clutch, bearing, motor mounts, etc..... b4 the transplant.

see post #5