Auto to manual swap advice - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mike-81-240d · #16 01-17-2015, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Sounds about right, what rpm and what Diff you using? 3:07?

My 80 240D 4-spd manual, anything below 40mph, and the engine is starting to lug down, so then run it in 3rd gear.
Iam using a 3:58 Diff instead of the 3:69 all 240`s use. so maybe a 3:69 anything below 35 or so, shift to 3rd.

Charlie

3.07's I'm not too sure on the RPM's my tach is very finicky currently.

charmalu · #17 01-17-2015, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Stokes

My swap ('83 Getrag 4spd. behind a '85 OM617) but have yet to fire it up. Nothing was marked on either engine so my assumption is that all were neutral balanced.

Having worked for over 30 years in dynamometer testing I have a fall back. The finished product can be taken to an industrial balance specialist and they can balance the assembly in place. We did it frequently. They'll hook up several accelerometers that read in all planes and determine any imbalance, then add or subtract weight as needed to resolve any issues found. From there on you can mark any pieces you might have to remove (say, to renew the clutch) and maintain balance for the life of the car. Most cities of any size will have a balance specialist and most don't charge a ton of money for this. Our guy came to us but you can work out those details with the vendor.

Dan

The guy I use in Santa Cruz, Ca. has a piece of equipment that does the balancing act. Think he is the only one in the area that can do it. he bought it from a Hot Rod shop that went belly up.

He charged me $100.00 to turn it and match balance.

Charlie

mike-81-240d · #18 01-17-2015, 03:08 PM

I was quoted $75 to do it by a corvette engine builder. I was recommended to him by a local Porsche race shop.

I figured I might as well just try bolting it up to the car first. (Always make sure to make witness marks before removing ring gear)

Dan Stokes · #19 01-17-2015, 07:01 PM

I forgot to mention - I'm in Wilmington, NC so if you want to come take a look you're welcome to do so. We can put it up on the hoist and look at anything you want. The body, of course, doesn't relate but the actual hard parts are all M-B, even the shifter. From the trans flange back none of it will look familiar.

Dan

NC-Diesel · #20 01-17-2015, 10:51 PM

Thanks guys! I wanted to thank you all for the great input.

Dan, I am interested in this testing you speak of that can be done with the engine in the car? I'm over in Chapel Thrill. I have a lot of body work I need to finish before I can drive this anywhere. Anywhere in NC offer this service?

I'm curious now about the markings. The doner car was an 82 240d. It is a 4 speed getrag . The lighter weight one. although I also have an iron box 4 speed I pulled off a 280E Euro some time back. I am going to go down to my garage now and check for markings. What do these markings look like? are they paint or stamps? Or was I supposed to make them before I dissembled the car? (oopsss!) Sounds liek I can get the auto's flywheel balanced to the manual flywheel. I'm going to get it resurfaced as I have an entire new clutch kit to put in anyways so that doesn't seem to unreasonable.

I'm going to try to document this restoration so I plan to take some pictures tomorrow. The car I'm trying to resucitate is the 78 240d. it was a california car so it has liek zero rust. Just some colision damage to the back drivers side trunk bumper area and the the radiator mounts and headlight surrounds. I will be using good panels from the 82 to fix the dented parts on the 78.

The 78 came in maple yellow with a bamboo interior. For the love of god and all that is holy I have TRIED to get the correct bamboo interior parts so I can keep it original, but I can't find them. I have most of a good blue interior in perfect condition except for the dash. I'm pondering dying the perfect black dash I have blue.But thats OK I can get it repainted blue and since I'm a tarheel that's all well and good.

gatorblue92 · #21 01-18-2015, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC-Diesel

The 78 came in maple yellow with a bamboo interior. For the love of god and all that is holy I have TRIED to get the correct bamboo interior parts so I can keep it original, but I can't find them. I have most of a good blue interior in perfect condition except for the dash. I'm pondering dying the perfect black dash I have blue.But thats OK I can get it repainted blue and since I'm a tarheel that's all well and good.

I always keep an eye out for Bamboo parts myself and I NEVER see them. I'm at the point where I will just order covers from World Upholstery when I start on the interior restoration.

NC-Diesel · #22 01-18-2015, 10:17 AM

Yeah the W123 cars used to show up very regularly at the junk yards here. used to find at least 1 or 2 a month. I have seen like only 2 in the last year or so. So I figure I can't afford to wait out the bamboo anymore. I also can't afford world upholstry prices! I have a set of 6 pleat bamboo seat covers I got from Reptalan. He had asked about getting them back if I wasn;t going to use them. But when I get around to cleaning out the old 78 all the remaining bamboo parts I have I'm putting up for sale. It makes me sad but no use letting them rot while I keep clinging to hope that the right parts will turn up at the right price.

Dan Stokes · #23 01-18-2015, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC-Diesel

Dan, I am interested in this testing you speak of that can be done with the engine in the car? I'm over in Chapel Thrill.

Just Google for "Industrial balance services" in your area. You may have to call several to find someone who does automotive stuff. They all CAN do it but many don't realize that their equipment and techniques can work on cars as well as industrial equipment. Printing presses, balers - pretty much anything that rotates needs balancing so almost any decent-sized town will have someone that does this.

Dan