Dear All,

The engine and gearbox (er sorry I mean automatic transmission) are currently out of my 1981 W123 300D.

I have read here that the automatic transmissions for 1981 in my car were particularly bad. I think it is a 722.1 (possibly 722.0 but probably not).

Reading through the FSM I see that 722.3, 722.4 and 722.5 transmissions are all covered by the same supplementary chapter 2702/1

Question 1:-

Am I correct in assuming that all of the 722.X transmissions will physically fit into the same place - and are therefore easily interchangeable without having to shorten prop shafts or put on new "bell housing" connector bits?

Question 2:-

Which of the 722.X transmissions is considered to be the best - and why?

Question 3:-

With my transmission currently out and on the bench what should I check before re-installing? I'm going to give it a new filter.

Question 4:-

I've been told that if the torque converter falls out too far from the end of the transmission (when moving it around) the shaft seal can easily get knackered. Which in turn can cause incorrect seating of the torque converter which will result in a collision with the pump behind. Anyone else ever heard of this?

As usual any help will be greatly appreciated!

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!