W116s, any with a four speed manual?
 

Were any Euro W116s (or US) offered with a four speed manual like some W126s were?

I found a 280S I may buy, it's a '79 model and I have found a parts 280E that I can yank the motor and manual from to dump into the W116. Mainly for the fuel injection and the trans.

Has anyone seen a manual W116? :confused:

I've seen two or three 350SE MTs.

Sixto

Here I have seen several 280 S / SE / and SELs with manual four speed transmissions (W116s). Most with the floor shift lever and a couple with the steering column shift lever.

Also seen two manual 350s (an SE and an SEL), although they are quite unsual, as most owners with the 350s opted for the optional three-speed automatic.

The 450 and the 6.9 only came with 3-speed automatics.

How out of the question is it to stick the 280E's manual in this 280S?

Might need a pilot bearing in the 280S crank.

Bigger question is how to stick the 280E clutch pedal in a 280S.

Sixto

If many 280S/E/L were built, finding that clutch pedal shouldn't be that big of an issue I don't think. The trans is the hard part usually it seems.

Can ya elaborate with the pilot bearing issue?

Many MTs use the engine crankshaft as a forward support for the input shaft. Since the crankshaft and input shaft turn at different speeds sometimes, there is a bearing between the two shafts. IIRC all OM616s and possibly all OM617s have provision for a pilot bearing so it's just a matter of popping in a pilot bearing during conversion. Such could be the case with the M110. Either someone who knows can confirm or you have to wait until you pull the tranny off the 280S to see for yourself.

Sixto

It would make sense to me as the M110 was installed in the 280S/E/L the E and the SL also in the 80s. Any pictures or more material I can read up on for a manual swap? I don't have much knowledge base dealing with a swap.

I'll ask Tom on here as his M110 was recently out.

I learned to drive in a 4spd 280S.
Shift feel wasn't great IIRC.

although some cars come without a bore for a pilot bearing if equipped with an auto, i have never seen a benz that lacked a bore for a pilot bearing. the pedal cluster from a 115 might work on it. just guessing.

tom w