'72 280SE: Which transmission do I have?

[n6mod]

I got the 108 home today, and started looking over it from stem to stern. The transmission is leaking pretty significantly, so I'm going to start with a new filter and pan gasket.

But after reading a bunch, I'm confused as to what I have here. It's a four-bolt pan, and the numbers stamped on the pan rail are:

114 270 1401010098

And, planning ahead... If a band adjustment and filter/fluid change aren't enough to make this transmission happy, any recommended sources for a master kit?

[wbain5280]

There should be a plate on the drivers side. Note the info and post it here. These are an older design transmission, not like today's 722.xxx trans.

http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/16BoltInstallationInstructions.html

[n6mod]

Originally Posted by wbain5280

There should be a plate on the drivers side. Note the info and post it here.

I'll look again, but I didn't see a plate on the driver's side of the transmission. The only numbers I could find were posted above.

Also, you linked to an article on "16 bolt" transmissions. I was under the impression that "16 bolt" and "4 bolt" referred to the pan, in which case this is a "4 bolt". But that's why I'm asking, I'm a little confused by what I'm reading.

Thanks,
-Zandr, with a lot to learn about 108s.

[MunichTaxi]

There should be a plate on the drivers side.

That is probably on the side of the transmission, several inches above the pan.

[n6mod]

Originally Posted by MunichTaxi

There should be a plate on the drivers side.

That is probably on the side of the transmission, several inches above the pan.

I had the car in the air yesterday, and couldn't find a plate anywhere on the left side of the transmission. The left side just has a round cover (governor?) and a large bosch component that looks like a switch. The only numbers visible from below the car are the ones I posted above.

I did discover that the kickdown switch was disconnected, which is a bit troublesome.

Originally Posted by carnut

These tended to leak at the front pump seal...

Yeah, there's a lot of fluid coming out of the vents in the bottom of the bellhousing.

The transmission slips badly, and since the front seal seems to be shot, I'm just going to rebuild it. Any favorite vendors for a Master Kit? (Fastlane seems just to have specific parts. I'd rather get *all* of it and solve this problem once.)

-Zandr

[mercmad6.3]

look forward of the kickdown switch of the trans for the black ID plate.
Mercedes is your best source for parts.
http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/

Heres the plate to look for,Plus there is a group of numbers stanped into the rail above the oil pan .

[carnut]

These tended to leak at the front pump seal because the torque converter collar would get a groove in it from the seal over time or the o ring that surrounds the front pump gets brittle and leaks.

[n6mod]

I picked up a known-good transmission from another '72 280SE, and will be swapping that in this weekend. There's no plate on that transmission either, just numbers stamped in the pan rail.

Originally Posted by carnut

These tended to leak at the front pump seal because the torque converter collar would get a groove in it from the seal over time or the o ring that surrounds the front pump gets brittle and leaks.

The old transmission was definitely dripping from the front, through the vents at the bottom of the bellhousing.

When I picked up a filter kit to put in with the new trans, I got a new front pump seal, and the parts guy at A&F sold me that O-ring.

But looking at the loose transmission, I don't see how the front pump is attached. There aren't any fasteners visible. So, how do I replace that O-ring?

Does anyone have a source of good documentation on these transmissions? Neither the official CD nor Haynes have anything more than remove/install and linkage adjustments.