Great. Just what we expected.

T Bar Adjustment
 

David ;

I'm curious : I missed how/ where you adjusted the 'T' bar to.....

I turned in one position clockwise on my 300CD's transmission and the shifts firmed right up like a Hot Rod's GM TH350 tranny, I like it but I also notice my untouched 300TD's tranny shifts so smoothly I can barely feel it most of the time and wonder which is better (I drive the CD hard) and how you reached nirvana here......

I have always understood that the harder the shift the longer life the transmission will have. Conversely, the softer the shift the more slippage is occurring in the transmission = more heat = the enemy of automatic transmissions.

*EXACTLY* .

That's why I like very firm shifts .

Nate, it was put back roughly mid way between the two end points, improvement was so noticeable left it as is.

It's probably a little towards the firm side but not harsh, you just know its happened - also reverted back to stock vacuum layout from above.Tend to agree with harder shifts leading to less brake band slippage, getting a good balance is the tricky part especially without a gauge.

The bowden cable needs dropping down a bit, but that's easy to do one turn at a time over the coming weeks.

Front crank seal next on the list, should be good for a while after that.

Just to add something else for soft v firm shift, engine braking, only slight but 3rd and forth it is perceptible which give a 'tighter' feel to the car.

Getting There
 

Thanx David ;

I agree with your thoughts, I know everone loved those GM Turbo Hydromatic trannies with their syrupy, slurpy shifts but they didn't last as long ad Chrysler's 727 slush boxes with their much firmer shifts .

In the 1960's we'd fill GM slush boxes with Ford ATF and they shifted noticeably firmer, still bone stock .

Had to flush the torque converter 100 % though .

Stock original build Mercedes 722. slushboxes are supposedly only good for 250,000 miles, I got well over 320,000 on mine before needing a rebuild .

Correct, if you are getting softer/slushy shifts, this is called "induced slippage" and is not good. Older Benz boxes especially are known for a firmer shift, which is the key to their longevity. Especially under full throttle the shift must be quite firm and crisp, with absolutely no slippage.

For once I was right :) .

Hey, it had to happen sooner or later :D .