86 300E - Another 722.3 Tranny Post
 

I recently asked this question in another post, but I thought I'd start my own thread to get some more specific answers.

I'm going to be pulling the trans to try and repair a couple of oil leaks, and while it's out I want to rebuild or replace anything that would be warranted on an almost 20 year-old car with 155K miles. I figured I would buy one of the overhaul kits with at least the gaskets, o-rings, seals and fiber clutch plates. I'm also pretty sure I have the original early-type B2 piston, so I'd like to replace that before it fails catastrophically. The only real complaint I have about the trans is that the 1-2 shift is a bit hard (I'll put it in 1st at a stop till I feel it drop in and then move the lever to 2nd before starting out), and it seems to shift early on it's own on the 2-3 and 3-4 shift, but I suppose that may just be an adjustment.

Is the torque converter likely to need rebuilding or replacement?

Is there anything else I should consider doing while I'm at it?

Also, is anyone familiar with the Shift Correction Package made by Superior Transmission Parts ? Does anyone have personal or second-hand experience with this kit? Could it do any harm if the trans doesn't currently exhibit any flaring or slipping? Do you think it would be useful as a preventive measure?

Thanks for any and all opinions

Gary

Have rebuilt several hundred of the 722.3_series. ONLY transmissions that have failed need torque converter repairs OR replacement.

If you use factory parts & everything is in good condition those transmissions will make 250k+ with frequent service.

ALWAYS replace B-1 band & install automatic adjusting piston for that band!

B-2 band clutch material was modified in 1989 & if the trans hasn't been rebuilt then repace it as well as installing the new style pistion & piston guide.

IF you really want to make the trans last longer ADD an external cooler!! HEAT causes 95% of transmission failures!

external cooler - recommended brand?
 

MBDOC
What external cooler would you recommend for a 722.3 transmission? Would such a job require a lot of adaption?
Many thanks and kind regards, Bruno

Bruno3000TE,

I installed a PermaCool ThinLine model 1010 on my 86 300E in July of 2002. At the time it cost about $50. I bought a new return hose and had The Hose Man add some fittings so that I could run a length of hose up to the cooler and back to the return line. This cost about $39. I mounted the cooler to a couple of L-brackets that I fabricated out a steel strip I bought from Home Depot and then mounted the whole asssembly to the crossmember in front of the bottom of the radiator. I re-positioned the horns to the inside of the engine compartment on the Rt side to another fabricated bracket. I've added some pictures over at bwheitman's post "Trans Fluid Cooler" to show the installation.

Hope this helps.

Gary

Gary, this is indeed very helpful! Thany you, Bruno

Added pictures - follow this link to bwheitman's post .

Gary

Question on the torque converter of 722.37 trannie.
 

I have a '93 140 body that the transmission is slipping badly. I changed the fluid and filter 4,000 mi. ago. Checked the pan carefully and saw no metal. It seems that the clutch packs are gone. I've been looking for parts or a rebuilt transmission, and did call the dealer on this one. Talking to them, they said that they would honor the warrenty only if the torque converter was replaced with the rebuilt transmission. I inquired why and they said that loose pieces of the clutch could get caught in the torque converter and they could eventually release and cause transmission failure. Is that true? If it is, is there any technique for flushing the converter to prevent this from happening?

Thanks,

John