SL V-8 manual (stick) shift vehicle

[jfsehl]

The poll numbers make me feel good! 250 have viewed the site so far and only 3 V-8 sticks checked it. At least here in the USA, a manual shift V-8 is a rare breed.

[PeterSLC]

Congratulations on driving a piece of Mercedes history.

I would like to know what sort of gas mileage do you get with the manual transmission? Is it a nice smooth unit or an awkward car to shift? Also does it use all cable or a hydraulic clutch mechanism?

Peter

[dpatterson]

Jim
Those poll numbers are making me feel good too. The only problem is that I have no idea what my manual 350SL might be worth - there has been nothing else to compare it against locally!!

Now I'm really looking forward to getting this car back on the road.

DP

[jfsehl]

As to my 1980 350SL 4 speed, I've put about 3,000 miles on it since I purchased it at Lompoc, CA. 1,600 of those miles were the drive back to Tulsa. I love owning the car for its uniqueness but it is not an easy shifting automobile. First...it probably needs in "sycronizers" for I most not rush the shift from 1st to 2nd (the rest of the shifts are fine). Also...as I might of said earlier, the rear is geared too low for US roads. At 3.46 to 1 I can actually stay in 4th gear down to 15 MPH with no bucking, etc. I want very much to put a USA differential in the car (3.06 to 1). I'll do that someday. I'm really going to shake the cobwebs out of my 102,000 mile car in the next 10 days. Tomorrow I'm leaving Tulsa for Philadelphia and on to Long Island and then Massachusetts and back to Tulsa. I think the car is ready for the trip. I know I am. Thanks for doing so much reading here.

[allenj123]

I just bought a 1977 450sl manual tranny only to find out it's really a euro 350sl with a 450 emblem on the trunk lid! At first I was angry but now I am finding that it is quite rare and that is how/why I found this forum. I am trying to find out more about the engine (116 984 10000376) Does anyone know how these numbers break down? I know 116 is basically the block but what is 984? The first "10" following that indicates gasoline and manual shift and the rest is serial number... but what is 984?

[dpatterson]

Allenj,

The 900 series number refers to which particular spec your engine is - euro, US etc. Regretably my MB manuals are packed away at present and I cant check them but someone else here will be able to quote chapter and verse. From memory the differences are in compression. Do a search on MB numbering systems both here and on the web in general. There are several sites devoted to decoding all the various MB numbers on chassis, datacard, engine etc. If not I'm sure one of the regulars here will pony up with a detailed description.

Welcome to the small fraternity of manual V8 350SL owners. In four years I've only ever seen two others here in Australia and heard of a manual 350SLC. You really do have a rare car, although no one has ever pinned down the precise numbers built as apparently MBs summary records do not segregate autos from manuals (which is weird given its all made explicit in the chassis number) but the guestimate I've seen before is probably circa 1000 - 2000 manual 350SLs built between 1971 and 1980 with no idea on the split between left hand or right hand drive. So you have actually stumbled onto a winner.

Great fun to drive I'm sure you agree (I enjoy driving my auto 350SL as well but the manual beats it pants down) and enough performance to keep up with pretty much most things on the road to day. Damn shame about not having a 5th gear though - as all other manual owners have already stated on this post. Would make it a fantastic highway machine with another cog to choose from.

The downside is when you go to do a clutch replacement. MB parts managers will just look at you funny - as if you had asked for something off a Honda. But with some further enquiring you can convince them there once was a manual version and there are one or two clutch kits in stock (ex Germany) with a mind blowing price tag. I had to remachine the hydraulics, the pressure plate and the friction plate with a clutch remanufacturer to get mine back on the road. MB didnt even have a listing for the slave cylinder, the clutch kit was circa $2000 and 6+ weeks delivery and they couldnt confirm it was the correct one until it landed. This from a dealer who normally gives me brilliant service, despite the age of the vehicles. Vastly cheaper going down the remanufacturer path but still more costly than your average clutch job.

All part of the fun.

Regretably however my fully restored manual is about to go up for sale as the house extensions are sucking all available cash up at an alarming rate. It will be interesting to see if there is any appreciation in the Australian market for the rarity of this car.

[Tony H]

My car is not a a SL but a 111 3.5L coupe with the manual trans. It is also quite rare-I read there were 112 3.5L coupes built with manual transmissions. Having seen both auto and manual V8 cars it would be quite a project to convert to man trans. One would probably need a doner stick shift car to get all the pieces required. The V8 and stick shift are a great match. The only issue I have noticed is the D-jectronic cuts off fuel when coasting under closed throttle until RPM drops to 1000 then abruptly cuts the fuel injection back in. Fine for an auto car but jerky if driving slow in stop and go traffic.

[Tony H]

BTW-I just bought a 350SL slave cylnder off ebay for $50-new in the dealer box. Same one my 3.5 coupe uses. Also Mercedesparts.com has a 3.5 clutch OEM for about $550. My local Mercedes parts guy can get the master cylnder from Germany for about $150. My 4 speed trans is presently being rebuilt by Mercedes Werkstat. It will be about $1250 good as new. Parts are available if one checks around.
Tony

[Bondavi]

Would putting in a 450 auto rear end (3.07:1) or a 380/560 rear end (2.47:1) be doable? That'd help fuel economy in a BIG way and rpm's for freeway cruising.

[kip Foss]

I too have a 350slc manual albeit reduced to a parts car. It is still avaliable for sale including engine and trans. It is located in S. Texas near Corpus Christi. $800 takes all.

[allenj123]

Do you know the engine number or VIN #? I am interested.

[kip Foss]

Jeff,

I will try to get the vin in the next day or so. I am currently working 27 hours a day 9 days a week so it might take a while. Where in Texas are you located?

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by PeterSLC

I would like to know what transmission Mercedes used in your car. I'd love to convert my SLC to a 4 or 5 speed, though I suspect it would require an adapter plate and pedals from a donor car.

The 107 Euro 500SL's were avilable with a 5 speed manual. The parts should bolt right in.

John Roncallo

[stats007]

Originally Posted by Roncallo

The 107 Euro 500SL's were avilable with a 5 speed manual. The parts should bolt right in.

John Roncallo

They weren't. The early 350 was the only V8 SL (be it 107 / 129 or 230) available with a manual transmission so your poll won't be of much use I'm afraid. As far as I know they were all LHD as well.

[vwnate1]

I just bought a 1974 Euro 350SLC 4 speed , when it's running on all 8 cylinders it really honks ! . (it's been through the mill but not wrecked)

In 4th gear @ 4,000 RPM it is going 80 MPH (per GPS) .

I need tune up specs and such , it had Bosch D - Jetronic injection and _two_ fuel pressure regulators , I'm not sure why nor how to adjust them , not even the correct fuel pressure...

Is there any place under the hood to attach my remote starter switch ? I can't even -see- the starter directly .

How to adjust the valves ? it's awfull tight , I know one part is 24MM but the other one I couldn't figure out ~ am I supposed to heat & bend up some wrenches for this job ? .

Is the distributor supposed to have a vacuum signal @ idle ? it does and that seems wierd to me .

Any help or direction you all can give me will be greatly apreciated