Manual transmission swap?

[socalbenz]

Would a manual transmission from a 79 240D work with a 72 250 (m130) that came with an auto? Would the 79 peddle, linkage etc. transfer over to the 72, or do I need to find a W114 or115 with a 4speed manual as a donor if I wanted to convert the 72 auto to a manual tranny? I have a line on a 79 240D with a bad motor, but a recently rebuilt manual tranny. I am considering pulling the engine on the 72 to do some other work anyway. If the 79 has the parts I need I may tackle the manual tranny swap while I am at it.

Thanks

[t walgamuth]

i believe it will bolt in. Not positive though.

[mercmad6.3]

You want to fit the manual trans to the M130? You will need a m130 flywheel/ clutch assembly. And A different front half for the drive shaft to suit the shorter manual trans . . The closest pedal box that will work is one from the same model .W114/115 pedal boxes are different to most other models except W107's (SL,SLC) but will work OK in a W108 or W109 chassis car.
Make sure you get all the clutch parts such as the throw bearing and fork,Slave cylinder and the inside master master cylinder. The tunnel is different between manuals and autos where the shift bolts on(and make sure you get all of the shifter parts too including the boot etc.

[Palolo]

Would rear end gearing result in short gears and high revs at highway speeds? Or did Benz compensate with different trans gearing vs diff ring/pinion gearing differences?

Not sure if the auto and stick cars were delivered with differing rear end ratios, but on my other car*, I have just amassed all (other than new bellhousing bolts) of the parts needed for a manual trans swap. If I keep my existing diff, my car will be a stop light rocket, but will be at 3000rpm @ 65mph in 5th. (*it is a 92 BMW 535i)

[t walgamuth]

The benzes were generally delivered with the same gear in the rear stick or automatic.

[socalbenz]

Sounds like the 79 won't have all the parts I need. I will keep looking for the right donor. Thanks for the input.

[socalbenz]

Originally Posted by mercmad6.3

You want to fit the manual trans to the M130? You will need a m130 flywheel/ clutch assembly. And A different front half for the drive shaft to suit the shorter manual trans . . The closest pedal box that will work is one from the same model .W114/115 pedal boxes are different to most other models except W107's (SL,SLC) but will work OK in a W108 or W109 chassis car.
Make sure you get all the clutch parts such as the throw bearing and fork,Slave cylinder and the inside master master cylinder. The tunnel is different between manuals and autos where the shift bolts on(and make sure you get all of the shifter parts too including the boot etc.

I found a 76 240D with a manual tranny and a bad engine for sale locally.

If I understand mermad6.3 correctly I could take the tranny, pedal box and the master/slave cylinder out of the 76 and put them in my w114, but I would still need a custom drive shaft and an M130 flywheel/clutch. Is the M130 flywheel something that is obtainable? Would the flywheel off of the 240D not work? How about the drive shaft off the 240D? What are the differences in the tunnel? Are the differences all bolt on parts that can be moved from the donor 76, or is the sheetmetal different?

I need a better understanding of what other parts I will need before I jump in.

[t walgamuth]

I think the m130 might have six flywheel bolts, the 240 has 12 so you will need to check that.

I imagine there is a very good chance the tranny will bolt up though but I am not certain.

[Frank Reiner]

All parts from the 76 240D are a direct fit with these three exceptions:

1. Flywheel; the diesel wheel is attached to the crank with twelve bolts,
the M130 wheel has six. I am not sure, but they may be on the same
bolt circle, in which case every other one would be used. The
imbalance of the auto flywheel will have to be duplicated in the diesel
wheel.
(You may want to take a bit of weight off the diesel wheel; it is quite a
bit heavier than the gasser wheel.)

2. As previously mentioned, driveline length. The forward portion of the
driveline from the 76 is long enough to simply be shortened to fit.

3. Shift rods will need to be shortened.

[socalbenz]

Great info, Thanks. I am going to go up and take a look at this car. I will be much happier with a manual tranny, so hopefully this works out.

[t walgamuth]

I have a low miles clutch and pressure plate for a 280e flywheel. I am supposed to get back my flywheel from my two eighty e engine that I sold last year too. If I can get my hands on the flywheel I will sell it all reasonably. It will be a better match for a six cylinder gasser than the heavier 240 fw.

[mercmad6.3]

you dont want the diesel flywheel,they a ton .. .

[billhard]

As the seller I am very pleased to find someone that will put these Parts to good use. There are only so many w114/115 carcasses out there and I would hate to see a nearly rust free example sold by the pound.

SOCALBENZ, I look forward to meeting and hope this works for you.

[socalbenz]

I went and looked at Bill's car, it was as described... I made arrangements to take delivery (tow it home) on Sunday.

TW, if you can find that flywheel I will definitely need it.

I am excited, although a bit nervous as well. Big project ahead of me, hopefully my cost don't escalate too much.

[flintg]

I am certainly not an expert on MB and most of the advice in this thread I have found very informative, but as I have been researching this for my own 250C. I would advise you check model numbers of the tranny and associated clutch parts and beware that you may need carb linkage and change emisions items associated with the auto trans. Also things like trans mount, exhaust hangers, shift linkage for column or floor needs too be changed. My advice is find a 250/8 with floor shift parts car and buy the whole thing. One question I still have is if the crankshaft fitted for the automatic has been machined to accept the pilot bearing. Comments on the pilot bearing/crankshaft machine work would be appricated.
good luck.
flintg