I have a 83 240D with a 617 from an 83 300SD bolted to the original 240D tranny. I'm about to pull the engine and drop it in my 79 240D. Here's my question. Both cars have a 4 speed tranny, does it make sense to pull the engine with the tranny attached, or, to leave the tranny and bolt the engine to the tranny that is in the 79? I'm thinking if there's room, to leave the 79 tranny in place and bolt the 617 to it.
Will there be an issue bolting a 83 617 to a 79 240D tranny?

I've done several engine swaps, however, this is my first MB.

Experienced feedback is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks

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Resurrected Nov 2010 - 79 240(SD) with 83 617 engine and 4 speed manual, 2.88 rear and 2.5" straight pipe unknown mileage (Salmon)
83 240D parting out
96 Dodge Cummins 5 sp 4X4 long bed - 310k

http://flickr.com/photos/11103112@N03/

I can't say specifically to your 4 speed - but I do know the automatics are much easier to pull out with the engine/trans attached. I would guess that the 4 speed is the same way, but someone correct me if I am wrong.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I think you'll find that there are different lengths of drive shafts in use, as well as transmission tail shaft mounts.

I'd say that unless the transmission was acting up, just pull the two still attached, along with the mount and drive shaft, and install the whole mess in the other car.
Just look to see if there was some difference in the speedometer pickup (mechanical versus electrical) between the two transmissions.

From what I understood, fitting a 300 turbo engine in a 240d required a set of 300d engine mounts, getting creative with the trans mount, and a different length drive shaft, but I may be mistaken. I have never owned either, just looked at the possibility of doing that conversion, as I would really like to have a manual trans MB.

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-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...

It's much easier to put the transmission in with it attached to the motor than it is to install the trans after, when on your back on the floor. I've removed and installed the 4 speed manual in my 240. It's not too bad, but I'd put it in with it attached.

You might take some measurements from the differential to the trans and see if both cars are the same. If so I'd say use the best parts of the two sets.

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Pull the engine and trans together as a unit, much easier.
Take everything from the 83 and transfer it over to the 79. you won`t have any driveline work to do. should be plug and play.

as you know the 79 has the old iron box trans and the 83 has the one piece aluminium. you will have to use the 83 shift rods.

when I did my swap, and ordering parts, I remember the master cylinder had a different part# between the 2 boxes. the throw out bearing and slave are also different. so down the road when ordering parts don`t order for the 79.

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

If you have an adjustable spreader bar its much easier in both cases to pull engine and tranny together. Leave the flex disc on the tranny, wire the drive shaft end up out of the way, unbolt the tranny cross member from the car and that ends ready to hoist.

If you undo everything including pulling the motor mount bolts then undo the tranny cross member the engine will almost balance there sitting on the mounts.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Thanks everyone.

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Resurrected Nov 2010 - 79 240(SD) with 83 617 engine and 4 speed manual, 2.88 rear and 2.5" straight pipe unknown mileage (Salmon)
83 240D parting out
96 Dodge Cummins 5 sp 4X4 long bed - 310k

http://flickr.com/photos/11103112@N03/