300 SEL transmission

I have a 1970 Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3. When shifting from park to reverse, or drive, it engages hard. Hard enough to jerk your head back if your not expecting it.
The idle is normal and there are no vacuum leaks I can find. The car has been sitting for about five years, and had leaked a few quarts of transmission fluid. Upon refilling and initial inspection this problem became apparent. Does anyone have any suggestions on what might cause this? Anything I can do without tearing into the valve body? Thanks in advance

Beladona!

[ctaylor738]

What you are describing is generally a delay in reverse engaging, then a pretty good jerk. There is an adjustment on the side of the transmission - a screw with a large lock nut. CTH350 did a couple of posts on this a while ago. I think Catrinus asked the original question. You should be able to find it with a search.

[wbain5280]

Check out www.m-100.org. There is a message board and since it's dedicated to M100 cars, you're sure to get a quick reply. No offense Chuck.

[stevebfl]

The 6.3 tranny is a version of the early electrically variable modulator trannies. There is a "double" lifting solenoid on top of the tranny that moves the hydraulic valving such that modulator pressure varies from10-15 at idle to 35-50 at everything else except full throttle where it is above 60. The idle and full throttle positions are electrically controlled the middle position is default. A car stuck in default (no electrical function) will shift into gear extremely harshly.