300SD Engine Swap - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stretch · #16 08-20-2013, 10:48 AM

If you are unsure - remove - check for cleanliness - lubricate front seal a little bit if necessary and replace. Better to check now...

otto huber · #17 08-20-2013, 12:00 PM

It turns out that I torqued the front 9 bolts unevenly. The TC spins freely after re-torqueing the bolts. Thanks for all of your help.

otto huber · #18 08-22-2013, 03:12 AM

The engine fired up on the first bump and appears to be really strong. Unfortunately my transmission isn't shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. I've tried both tightening and loosening the bowden cable by one full turn with no results. I disconnected the modulator too. An odd thing that happened while filling up the transmission was that fluid started leaking out the back of the transmission at about 6 quarts in. I drained two quarts and checked the transmission fluid with the car running and it's about 1/2 quart low. I know that when the engine heats up the reading will probably be between the two lines. The transmission cooler lines are tight and I checked the torque on the pan bolts.

Stretch · #19 08-22-2013, 10:24 AM

You've got a 722.303 with a vent that is quite low on that transmission - I'd hazard a guess that you over filled the transmission and it came out the vent.

If I were you I'd stop trying to second guess the dipstick - fluid needs to be the correct temperature too you know (!) - and drain and refill measuring exactly how much fluid you put in.

otto huber · #20 08-23-2013, 04:53 PM

I drained the pan cold this morning and only 2 1/4 quarts came out even thought my dipstick read just under the fill line last night. I added a quart with no results and then added another quart out of desperation and to count out the fluid level being an issue. When adding fluid, I would leave the engine running and add 1/2 quart after shifting through all of the gears.I'm draining it hot right now to see how much fluid comes out.

I've adjusted the Bowden cable in both directions and even disconnected it. My shifter is a little off from the letters on the console, but I'm positive that it's in Drive and not Slope. I'll go ahead and readjust that just to cancel it out. My speedo wire got separated during the removal, but I'm guessing that that doesn't effect anything.

On a good note, the engine seems to be running great, and I'm not seeing any leaks from the transmission or engine.

Stretch · #21 08-23-2013, 05:02 PM

Stop adjusting anything else until you know exactly how much oil is in the transmission!

otto huber · #22 08-23-2013, 05:13 PM

I had the car running for about 20 minutes and I checked the fluid a few times at the same flat parking lot near my house. The level was never below the fill line. I'm about to go out and measure how much came out and then fill again.

Another thing worth mentioning is that I was running synthetic ATF before. Could switchng back to Dex/Merc be the problem?

otto huber · #23 08-23-2013, 06:21 PM

3 quarts drained out, and I added 2. I drove the car to a flat parking lot and the fluid was right at the fill line. What's next, new filter and synthetic fluid?

Stretch · #24 08-24-2013, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otto huber

3 quarts drained out, and I added 2. I drove the car to a flat parking lot and the fluid was right at the fill line. What's next, new filter and synthetic fluid?

I don't understand.

It might sound like I'm being a difficult about this but you really do need to make sure of certain things so that you can be certain about them! The first step is to ensure that you have the correct amount of fluid in there. You need to have 6.1 litres in a 722.303 / 722.315 (Ignore the larger amounts that are quoted for the V8 engine transmissions) <= so drain the torque converter and the transmission and then measure it like an anal retentive quality control manager as you put fluid in.

If you haven't done the filter then now is a good time.

It sounds like you are not driving the car for long enough to get the transmission oil at the correct temperature to consider the levels shown on the dipstick. Just measure the fluid and be done. That can then be checked off of the list => it becomes a certain

otto huber · #25 08-25-2013, 08:10 PM

After driving around the neighborhood for 15 minutes in 2nd gear, I checked the dipstick again and was about 1/2 quart over full. I drained all of the fluid, changed the filter and added new ATF. I'm right at the full line at it still won't shift. The only thing I can think of is that I wasn't clean enough when doing the seals and that there's a piece of dirt in there somewhere. I'm taking it to a mechanic tomorrow who knows a lot about these cars, and see if he can take a look and spot something I've missed. Wish me luck.

otto huber · #26 09-08-2013, 11:25 PM

After replacing the original transmission with the donor transmission and doing all of the necessary tweaks, the project is complete. I had the car on the road early last week, but now it feels like a really good driver. I couldn't have done it without forum member Charmalu. There's so much knowledge on this board, but to have a member come over and help you with the labor, well that's pretty remarkable.

I have no idea what the history of this replacement engine is, but it has almost no blowby and the oil was still a dark shade of gray after 250 miles of use. With my last engine, I had lots of blow by and the oil was black after about 10 miles of driving.

With the replacement of two K1 springs, I was able to get the replacement transmission to shift nice and firm. Because it takes at least 1 second for Reverse to engage, I'm guessing that I've got about a year or two left on this transmission. I'll take my original transmission to a shop and see if they can find the error I made when replacing the front seal.

Stretch · #27 09-09-2013, 02:56 AM

Charlie visited and you didn't take pictures?

That was a peach parts mini meet that should have been recorded!

otto huber · #28 09-09-2013, 03:19 AM

I forgot that I had taken this pic. This is the donor engine exiting the beater I got in San Jose for $750.

Stretch · #29 09-09-2013, 07:39 AM

Great stuff an internet super hero - and in shades too!

ROLLGUY · #30 09-09-2013, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

Great stuff an internet super hero - and in shades too!

Super Hero indeed! I have met Charlie and his wife, and they are great people. It is nice to see the folks in this community work together, and help each other out. On other forums, members are able to give other members a "thumbs up" etc. On the AMC Eagle forum I am on, members have the ability to add an "egg" to other members tally by clicking on the words "click here to add a good egg". We should have the moderators add something like this to this forum. Maybe a Gold Star? (MB star of course). If this were to happen, members like Charmalu, Stretch, Vstech etc would be overflowing with gold stars!