I have a question on the 240D manual transmission - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

junqueyardjim · #1 03-08-2013, 02:31 PM

I just received the four speed I bought from a fellow Forum member. The seller said he doesn't know anything about where or which vehicle this transmission came out of. The transmission is very clean and "looks" like it had very light use. It really looks new, but the release bearing shows that it has been used. Here is my question. The speedo opening looks like it has a plug in it and was not used. Did any W123 use an electronic speedometer? Is it possible that the Euro type 240D used an electronic speedometer? Here are the numbers from the transmission,
R123 261 1301 123 260 12 01 716 210 00 11 24 99

Stevo · #2 03-08-2013, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

I just received the four speed I bought from a fellow Forum member. The seller said he doesn't know anything about where or which vehicle this transmission came out of. The transmission is very clean and "looks" like it had very light use. It really looks new, but the release bearing shows that it has been used. Here is my question. The speedo opening looks like it has a plug in it and was not used. Did any W123 use an electronic speedometer? Is it possible that the Euro type 240D used an electronic speedometer? Here are the numbers from the transmission,
R123 261 1301 123 260 12 01 716 210 00 11 24 99

Is it the one piece aluminum box? I have a late (85) manual 240D and it has the normal cable spedo. Others will know, but only one year they used a electronic speedo. Someone probable put the plug in the hole to keep it clean, nice. I dont think that one year applied to 240s.

Govert · #3 03-08-2013, 03:12 PM

The Euro 240D didn't have an electronic speedometer.

The 716.210 was indeed used on the 240D.

bricktron · #4 03-08-2013, 03:49 PM

I think the one with the electrical speedo was the 81 wagon...?

junqueyardjim · #5 03-08-2013, 05:55 PM

Yes, this is the aluminum one piece unit. Now I understood it to be a well known thing, that this transmission (one piece unit) was first used in 1983 which was the last year the 240D was imported. However I have heard that some (few) later models of Euro 240D were imported by owners in 84 and 85 and I thought that it was possible that those imports were using an electronic speedometer. I will try to check it out further on EPC, (Russian), to see what goes. It is possible that someone put that cap in there, but it looks like it's factory. Another question is, if the car does have an electronic speedo, is that signal sent from the transmission? There is nothing on this transmission that looks like electronic equipment.

Govert · #6 03-08-2013, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

Yes, this is the aluminum one piece unit. Now I understood it to be a well known thing, that this transmission (one piece unit) was first used in 1983 which was the last year the 240D was imported. However I have heard that some (few) later models of Euro 240D were imported by owners in 84 and 85 and I thought that it was possible that those imports were using an electronic speedometer. I will try to check it out further on EPC, (Russian), to see what goes. It is possible that someone put that cap in there, but it looks like it's factory. Another question is, if the car does have an electronic speedo, is that signal sent from the transmission? There is nothing on this transmission that looks like electronic equipment.

The 240D had a ZF four speed until september 1980. Then a Getrag four speed was installed until August 1983 and after that another Getrag four speed with shorter ratios was used.

Mölyapina · #7 03-08-2013, 08:55 PM

1) Crazy idea: I notice that the W124s did have 4-speed standards at one time or another. Could this be from one of those?

2) Do you have a picture of the thing?

junqueyardjim · #8 03-09-2013, 10:47 AM

You know Jooseppi, after I unboxed it and looked at it, (and admired how clean and shinny it was) and seeing that plug in the speedometer opening, I was in the house thinking about it, and that is exactly what I thought - darn, you don't think it might be a 716.2 that came off a 190E or 190D. So I went back to the garage to double check and the bell part has the starter "wart" on the passenger side, and the bell part is exactly right for the W123. Right now I suspect that this transmission was sitting in a shop for some time (perhaps years) and it has been suggested someone put the plug in it to keep the transmission clean. I will have to check that out.

Stretch · #9 03-09-2013, 11:02 AM

Do you have the technology to take a picture and post it up Jim?

junqueyardjim · #10 03-09-2013, 03:01 PM

Well Stretch, I have gotten pictures on, but I am tired and it taxes all my energy to do it. So, if my grand daughter comes over, we will, but not otherwise. Anyway, I did a good close exam of it and now I am convinced it is a "hat" shaped cover put in the orifice to protect the unit from debris falling in. I tried to get it out, not very much effort though, and was not successful. So I think I will just leave it in there until I have it installed. That is not a typical find in a pulled transmission. Looks to me like it may have been sitting in a shop, maybe for quite a while.

Stretch · #11 03-09-2013, 04:39 PM

Not worth the hassle getting a picture then.

How about a self tapping screw in hat and then pull?

junqueyardjim · #12 03-09-2013, 05:07 PM

No doubt a self tapping screw would work. I suspect even a little more prying with a small screw driver would do it. But I was out there to clean up the garage, it does start looking tardy after we have used it for a catchall, all winter long. Stuff just accumulates, it grows and grows and grows. We don't have a basement so storage is always a problem. Do tend to keep more "junk" then we should. But we do have a three car garage and always have two cars in it and the rest is a collection. Engines and parts and transmissions, and turbos and lights and heater parts and trim. And garden tools and Christmas decorations and an engine puller and a compressor. And a lot, lot more. Going to have to have a sale and thin the herd I guess. Someday!

DeliveryValve · #13 03-09-2013, 05:21 PM

Maybe the cap is shaped like the speedo cable end in that you have to totally remove the locking bolt in order to get it out.

.

junqueyardjim · #14 03-09-2013, 07:53 PM

No, there is no locking bolt to hold the cable in. I think you twist it and it drops a bit an that is it. No concerning my problem, should have went back to the seller first. I wrote him a PM telling him how great the transmission looked and asked him about the cap in the speedometer orifice. Here is his answer.

"Hey Jim,
When I bought the the trans I cleaned it, hence the plug in the speedometer drive hole. I bought it from a retired MB mechanic that had it as a spare.
The clutch and pressure plate are for a Volvo 240 that I'm building.

Glad the trans arrived safe and sound!"

That was a pretty simple answer. Thanks Jory