722.6 into 560SEL with M117 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

300SD81 · #1 03-31-2015, 02:37 PM

The transmission in my 560SEL is going out, and I have a 722.6 I pulled intending to swap into my old SD someday. Can someone please confirm that these will bolt to each other? The bolt patterns LOOK like they will match up, but I cannot confirm without pulling the transmission out of a car I need to drive. It looks like there may be clearance issues for the starter? I've seen that it's been done before and have contacted user whipplem104 about purchasing a controller, but pictures are hard to come by. I had pulled the transmission with the intent of mating it to a OM617 requiring a bell cut/weld, so I didn't make note of what vehicle it came out of.

My 722.6:

Googled image of M117 bolt pattern - is this the same as the one on my 1991 560?
I read somewhere there were changes between aluminum/iron blocks.

Thanks!

whipplem104 · #2 03-31-2015, 02:42 PM

I do not know what engine that is but the m117 is different. You need the bellhousing from a m119 equipped car with the 722.6 to swap. It has the correct bolt pattern and the cut out for the crank sensor. You would probably want the converter as well but you could double check the clearances and bolt pattern of the one you have.

300SD81 · #3 03-31-2015, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whipplem104

I do not know what engine that is but the m117 is different. You need the bellhousing from a m119 equipped car with the 722.6 to swap. It has the correct bolt pattern and the cut out for the crank sensor. You would probably want the converter as well but you could double check the clearances and bolt pattern of the one you have.

I'm guessing this is the style I need to look for? At this point, I may just purchase one online if I don't see one in the yards in the next week or so.
To confirm - the 722.3 driveshaft will fit and this is all that needs to be done (drill for mount, shorten shift rod) I have the shifter assembly already as well.

I'm going to have a shop do the work since I don't have access to a lift, and pulling the engine myself looks like a nightmare. (I did a 617 before, but it's a good bit smaller, and took a week). Sorry about all the questions, but I'm probably going to need a new transmission within a month, and don't want any surprises when I drop it off and things don't fit.

What's the lead time on getting a controller from you? I may go ahead and get it now if it's going to take a while to have one ready.

whipplem104 · #4 03-31-2015, 04:32 PM

That's the right one. And yes to the other questions. I am out of stock right now but I am no more than 2 weeks at any given time most of the time from order date. I assume this is not your only car to drive because you should give yourself a bit of time to get everything sorted out and go for some test drives before you consider driving it to work or something.

300SD81 · #5 03-31-2015, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whipplem104

That's the right one. And yes to the other questions. I am out of stock right now but I am no more than 2 weeks at any given time most of the time from order date. I assume this is not your only car to drive because you should give yourself a bit of time to get everything sorted out and go for some test drives before you consider driving it to work or something.

I'll probably place the order within a few days then. It is my only car (the 300's engine is in 50 pieces in my garage, with a seized piston), which is why I'm trying to get everything together before the current transmission dies. I work from home, on my own schedule, so I can go a couple days without/with a poor driving car, living off pizza if I have to. Plus we have Uber here, so $6-10 per ride isn't too bad.

300SD81 · #6 04-24-2015, 01:17 PM

Transmission is in

and it's a pretty tight fit. I got the cooler lines hooked up and filled it with a pump since I don't have a dipstick yet. Cycled through the gears and everything seems to be good. Now it's just waiting for parts... apparently the shifter I had only fits the early 126, because I could have sworn I test fitted it in my 300. Ordered another one out of a W140, hoping for better luck...otherwise I guess I can fab an adapter plate.

whipplem104 · #7 04-25-2015, 11:06 AM

Good job. I wanted to suggest you can mount the shift rod from the inside out on the transmission linkage. This prevents it from rubbing on the tunnel.

300SD81 · #8 04-25-2015, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whipplem104

Good job. I wanted to suggest you can mount the shift rod from the inside out on the transmission linkage. This prevents it from rubbing on the tunnel.

Thanks.

I think I might leave it for now and see tho, it took me over an hour to get that damn circlip on! It doesn't seem to be rubbing once it's in the correct position.

Got it basically done today, just waiting for your package now, but she's drivable

at least in 2nd gear..which gets me most places around here.

Cut and welded the cross member to fit the .6 mount last night. Wet paint got rained on

My new W140 shifter showed up today. Fits the wood perfectly, but I still had to do a little sheet metal cutting and drilling. I'm probably just going to use a bunch of marine silicone to seal around it since I don't feel like setting the car on fire trying to weld there.

Once that was in, I cut and threaded the shift rod. A 3/8 nut has a little bit of play, but holds fine. M9 would have been perfect, but it wasn't in my tap and die set, and noone makes a M9 coupling nut. I need to go pick up 2 lock nuts to go around it. You can also see the rivnuts I used to attach the shifter.

300SD81 · #9 05-02-2015, 07:51 PM

Finally put the interior back together today. Looks completely stock! The PCS unit is behind the dash above the center vents where that USB cable is going. I also took the opportunity to install some USB ports and power outlets while I had that panel out. Still need to run the power wires to the inverter in the trunk, but that's a job for another day, or month...

Unfortunately it seems the transmission I got has some issues. I think it might be the broken pressure regulator spring common in the earlier units. I'm going to pick up the spare's valve body at my moms next weekend and do the sonnax kits on it before swapping it in. Hopefully that fixes it because I do not want to have to get the trans out again!

Big thanks to whipplem104 for all the help throughout the entire process (and the controller)! If anyone else is considering a swap, definitely give him a call.

300SD81 · #10 05-05-2015, 02:16 PM

More goodies in the mail... a set of new AMG paddle shifters meant for a S63. The TCU let's you multiplex them with the horn switch and allow the TCU to drive the horn, so no new wires need to be run down the steering column. Slight interference with the cruise control stalk, but I can live without the resume function, can't remember ever using it.

Roncallo · #11 05-09-2015, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300SD81

Transmission is in

and it's a pretty tight fit. I got the cooler lines hooked up and filled it with a pump since I don't have a dipstick yet. Cycled through the gears and everything seems to be good. Now it's just waiting for parts... apparently the shifter I had only fits the early 126, because I could have sworn I test fitted it in my 300. Ordered another one out of a W140, hoping for better luck...otherwise I guess I can fab an adapter plate.

Are all the bolts lining up. I heard that 2 of them would not line up.
This will make the car a lot nicer to drive and I'm willing to bet significant increases in gas mileage.

300SD81 · #12 05-10-2015, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

Are all the bolts lining up. I heard that 2 of them would not line up.
This will make the car a lot nicer to drive and I'm willing to bet significant increases in gas mileage.

I had a shop do the actual bolt up, so I'm not sure of the details, but they said only one bolt didn't line up. As for gas mileage, I don't know with my driving style... 100+ cruising is definitely more pleasant with the low RPMs.

Roncallo · #13 05-10-2015, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300SD81

I had a shop do the actual bolt up, so I'm not sure of the details, but they said only one bolt didn't line up. As for gas mileage, I don't know with my driving style... 100+ cruising is definitely more pleasant with the low RPMs.

That's excellent. You will have an overdrive with a lockup converter and a factory 1st gear start. I doubt you will have any more performance in the 1/4 mile but a smooth ride and higher gas mileage is defiantly in order even at 100 mph.

Did you have to shorten the drive shaft?

What are you doing about wheel speed sensors? Or are they not required with the aftermarket control system?

Do you have a plan for your speedometer?

300SD81 · #14 05-10-2015, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

That's excellent. You will have an overdrive with a lockup converter and a factory 1st gear start. I doubt you will have any more performance in the 1/4 mile but a smooth ride and higher gas mileage is defiantly in order even at 100 mph.

Did you have to shorten the drive shaft?

What are you doing about wheel speed sensors? Or are they not required with the aftermarket control system?

Do you have a plan for your speedometer?

The package I got from whipplem104 took care of all of that. He includes a custom machined speed sensor setup that bolts to the output flange on the transmission, replacing the nuts on the flex disc bolts. A remote mount TPS that's actuated by a bowden cable, replaced the transmission cable. And the PCS controller has a programmable speedometer output. The shaft bolts right up, it takes a little more maneuvering to change flex discs now, but it wasn't too difficult twisting one in from under the car.

Roncallo · #15 05-10-2015, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300SD81

The package I got from whipplem104 took care of all of that. He includes a custom machined speed sensor setup that bolts to the output flange on the transmission, replacing the nuts on the flex disc bolts. A remote mount TPS that's actuated by a bowden cable, replaced the transmission cable. And the PCS controller has a programmable speedometer output. The shaft bolts right up, it takes a little more maneuvering to change flex discs now, but it wasn't too difficult twisting one in from under the car.

That excellent. Sound like he has a plug and play package.

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