If I were a dieselhead with time and money on my hands in excess, I might be into attempting the holy Grail of installing a manual tranny in a W126, specifically my ‘86 SDL.

The engine is outstanding, installed about two years ago, but the tranny has developed a problem. It’s a long story, I don’t want to go there.

I have read of guys using a Mercedes 6 spd from a four-cylinder Kompressor variety. Bolts right in almost I have read. I have also read that transmission is sketchy.

What really looks good is getting a later model BMW five or six speed from a car with as much or more horsepower and about the same torque as my SDL. I’ve read of mating flanges available. I’ve gathered here and there that putting in a clutch pedal is not nearly as tough as you might think. Take the front seats out for the duration, massive padding to lie on your back.

This engine is so fine. It really deserves to be hooked to at least a five speed. I’m pretty sure good specimens are to be had at bone yards - locally Pick n Pull wants $250 for a trans.

The scuttlebutt is, of course, that manual trannies are a lot more trouble free than an autotragic. I need to learn if there are any techniques to identify sound versus malady in a transmission sitting in a carcass. Finding low miles + major body damage is the holy Grail of course.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K