I just bough the car.
1st and Reverse are indistinguishable. I just bought the car. The whole shifter is Floppy and loose. The adjacency of 1 to R is terrifying! I've basically been driving the car in 2nd and 3rd.
Will (1) Changing the clutch help
(2) Considering using Ceramic Disk and Heavy Duty Pressure plate like trucks do or racers.

Since the shifter mechanism is external & has rubber bushings at both ends of all three shift rods, start there. The clutch won't affect the play in shifter.
Mercedes uses a special fluid for the trans, a synth. A.T.F. make sure that the trans has this type of fluid.

When you replace these bushings,replace one
linkage at time then do the next one if don't
you will have hard time to find the right one
for the right gears.
hope this help.

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MB STARS Master Guild Technician,12 years MB tech
5 years independent shop owner

I have just changed the fluid on my 78 280 SLC with the 4 sp G76 manual transmission. I used Amoco Synthetic Mercon III ATF and the shifting is much smother now. I hope the "DOC" will be offering the transmission bushings for sale soon; I have been holding up on my parts orders till the store is up!
Still searching for a 300 E 5sp manual for my collection!

The PartsShop will be up on Wednesday we hope. June 24th

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM