'87 300 TD Wagon Replacement Tranny Options?

[Rickenbacker108]

The transmission in my GF's 1987 300TD Wagon (turbo charged) has been declared dead . The engine is strong (300K +) but burns and leaks some oil. Overall the car is in fair shape and we love it--I have one too with only 250K. We are thinking USED TRANSMISSION here.. To the best of my knowledge the tranny is a 722.357.

My question is whether a tranny from a gas 1990 300E (722.358) would work (easily) in this car? I realize the gearing could be different (don't care) and that the 300E is not a diesel and does not have a turbo charger. Will this work or must I find one from a turbocharged 300D (presumably sedan).

Thanks in Advance!

[mach4]

The consensus around here seems to be that it won't work. Generally the reasons given are the stall speed on the torque convertor, the gearing, differences in the valve body and stuff like that. But to my knowledge, no one has actually used a gas auto tranny in a diesel.

When mine went out (722.4x mated to a 617.952) I had the choice of going with a 722.315 out of a 300D or a 722.312 out of my 380SL and I was going to try the gasser transmission, but in the end, decided to take the path of least resistance and install the "proper" transmission.

I think it's worth a shot - in the end it's just time and labor and hassle and the risk of having to do the swap again.

If I didn't have the two transmissions sitting side by side and only had the gasser, I would have tried it.

[Zulfiqar]

I believe the gasser transmissions start off in 2nd gear unless you drop the lever to 2.

[winmutt]

Location? I have a spare 87 300d that is in good condition but needs a reseal on front seal ($8 part and quick labor).

[vstech]

well... I've got both gasser's and diesel trans...
I KNOW the trans from a 93 Diesel has differences from the 87... the cooler banjo bolts are smaller, (and the lines are of course the wrong length coming from a 5 cylinder motor...) I have a 90 2.6 gasser, I could put the trans in a wagon and see what it does... I've got a spare wagon sitting here... I won't be doing this soon though... I've got several projects in the barn at the moment...

[Rickenbacker108]

Thanks for the feedback on GAS vs Diesel trany swap. The safe option consensus seems to be to find a genuine diesel transmission for the cherished 300 TD diesel wagon. I will contact Winmutt to get started.

[Rickenbacker108]

Originally Posted by winmutt

Location? I have a spare 87 300d that is in good condition but needs a reseal on front seal ($8 part and quick labor).

Winmutt--

I am in Durham, NC and would certainly be interested in your transmission. Could be an interesting shipping proposition.. but this is done all the time between auto recycling yards..

[jay_bob]

A couple of ideas:

- contact one of the large motor freight companies (in no particular order, ABF, Yellow, Averitt, etc.) and arrange a terminal to terminal LTL (Less than Trailer Load) shipment. The sender will have to pack the transmission (secured on a pallet and shrink wrapped) and deliver it to the terminal at the sending city. The recipient will have to pick it up at the terminal in their city. The freight can either be prepaid (sender pays) or collect (recipient pays).

- Durham to Atlanta is about 5 hrs on I-85. The transmission weighs around 100 lbs, it can be carried in the back of a 300TD no problem. Just be sure to take precautions to secure it and protect from dripping fluids.

[vstech]

freightquote.com
i got one shipped to texas fo 80...

[winmutt]

Originally Posted by Rickenbacker108

Winmutt--

I am in Durham, NC and would certainly be interested in your transmission. Could be an interesting shipping proposition.. but this is done all the time between auto recycling yards..

I'd be happy to take it somewhere that will strap it to a pallet and ship it.