W116 auto to manual swap
 

I'm currently using my phone here and the search doesn't work correctly so ill make this quick.

I'm at a point where. Decision can be made to to a manual transmission, is this easily done in a W116? Anyone out there have the parts? I'd definitely be interested in buying!

I'm assuming you are talking about your 450SEL in your sig...

Looking on EverythingBenz - Mercedes-Benz Forum and Web Search Using Google it seems as though your M117.986 was only "factory" mated to an automatic transmission (722.001 or 722.004)

I'm not sure if there was ever a factory manual transmission option for this engine. You could go through the list shown here to check =>

Mercedes-Benz M117 engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If there was never a Mercedes manual transmission fitted to this engine then you've got a bit of an uphill struggle working out how your custom flywheel needs to be designed...

...well I guess you need to seek professional advice on that one.

Well when I suggested that to you I thought you were speaking out for the 300SD. The 300SD is no problem, I think a couple have been done. But the 450SE is different. I consulted the Russian EPC and it shows all of them to be built with various versions of the 722 automatic. However it also shows a clutch and flywheel assembly, also shows the clutch hydraulic mechanism. Strange, then no transmission. I would bet money that it will go in there if the starter is on the passenger side of the engine and the diagram of the automatic shows that to be the case. Mercedes probably though that the four speed was a little light for that job - maybe they were right. I have all the parts and could run up to Canada in early June and send them. Maybe sooner if you need them, Windsor is not that far. PM me if you want to know more. To bad we aren't going to Edam this summer. I would like to, but it is a long trip for my wife.

Mercedes Benz EPC 116.032 Chassis Information | Everything Benz

I will also say that I am surprised that Panzer is not clear on what vehicle he is talking about. He says 116, signature says 117, and I thought he had a 300SD.