Transmission fluid oil pan - parts place sent a deeper pan

[j-galap]

Hi everyone,

I recently discovered a hairline crack in the transmission oil pan of my 1974 W115 240D automatic. It's in need of replacement!

The replacement OEM item (115-270-06-12) would be $400CAD from my local MB, so I found a good condition used item at a parts place in the US - supposedly the identical item.

Anyway, when it arrived the item I was sent was actually about 3/4 inch deeper than my original item, although the fitment is the same. I googled the part number of the old gasket that came with it and seems like it's originally from a R107.

So, does it really matter if my new pan is deeper than my old one? Surely I'd just have to use more transmission fluid.

Annoying situation I know, but getting parts up to Canada takes a while and I'd have to go through the hassle of returning this item, getting the refund (that's two weeks gone already) while ordering a replacement item.

What are people's thoughts? Send it back and lose a bunch more time or just deal with a deeper pan (and the parts place offered some credit on a future order as a result of the mix up).

Thanks

[barry12345]

I see no particular issue. I believe the pan is no lower than the engine pan. So it does not impact ground clearance?

[gmog220d]

If for some reason it causes a problem have the old pan's crack welded up.

[Frank Reiner]

j-g:

Inasmuch as the filter is screwed to the valve body (rather than being retained by the pan), there will not be a problem of the filter dropping off.
The transmissions used with the V8 engines, in addition to having a deeper pan, also had a deeper filter.

[gottarollwithit]

As long as it isn’t a ground clearance prob. Really don’t want to accidentally bottom out on your trans pan. Otherwise, the pan really serves little functional purpose. In some cars, folks upgrade to a larger pan.

For the money, it’s probably cheaper just to weld up the old one...

[H-townbenzoboy]

The only issue I can think of is not getting an accurate reading on the dipstick and possible overfilling. A deeper pan means you'd have to have more fluid inside to reach the marks on the dipstick. The amount of fluid required might not be much and may not be a problem though.