are there any that bolt to the v8 engines? and if so what cars are they found in?

The only V8 offered with a manual trans was the 3.5, and I believe it was offered with the ZF (top shift), and Mercedes (side shift) transmissions.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

so theres 2 different transmission styles? are there differences between a 6 cylinder trans and a v8?

mike

There are actually three different manual transmissions used from the late 60's through the 80's.

The ZF's were used in the 108, 111, 112 and 113 cars. It came in 4 and 5-speed versions. It is characterized by shift linkage on the top of the transmission. It was used with both 6 and 8 cylinder engines. Because of the clearance needed for the linkage, you need a high transmission tunnel.

In the late 60's, Mercedes came out with their own 4 and 5 speed transmissions. They have the linkage on the left side. They went (mostly) in the 114/15, 107, and 123 cars. Almost all of these in US cars are in the 4 cyl diesels (200, 220, 240).

Then in the 80's Mercedes started using a Getrag 5-speed in the 107, 124, and 201 cars. In the US you see them mostly in the 300E and 190D/E. Linkage again on the side.

So the answer to your question is that the transmissions go more with the car than with the engine. The only V8 to get a manual used the ZF, which was also offered with the 6's.

None will simply bolt up. The issue in getting a manual trans to work with a V8 other than the 3.5 is the flywheel and clutch, since none were made for those engines. Same with the bellhousing.

If you are really interested, send me an email, and I will send you back a Word document with a collection of pictures of Mercedes manual transmissions that I have collected from e-bay and my cars.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

I have a 280SE coupe 3.5 with 4 speed transmission. Monday my clutch gave out and I am pretty sure it needs a whole new kit. Any suggestions for a good source for a replacement kit? It looks like MB still carries them, but I am curious what the interchangeability is, and where other good sources are. I have the top shifter.

For those wondering how it drives, it is a fairly heavy clutch. First gear is not doing much except get you rolling and you are VERY quick in 2nd gear (1st must be meant for mountain driving). 3d for city coasting, and 4th is good for highway, but I long for a 5th gear occasionally.

Thanks,

Bert

Could be rebuildable...... Touch base with heavy industrial equipment parts suppliers, Bert. Am certain there are outfits that rebuild pressure plates, resurface and respring discs for trucks and dozers. Find out who does the work and contact them direct for a custom build on your existing core, thats what I'd do. The hard part will be finding a throwout bearing.

do you mind saying how it is acting?

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Well, it went from what seemed a slight loss of hydraulic pressure (meaning it shifted heavily, i.e., I had to wait a bit before shift would be allowed to engage) on Sunday to massive rattling noise when started on Monday. Clutch pedal would depress and act, but not really spring back, and not fully disengage first gear to allow shifting to second or reverse. I suspect the release bearing failed, or pressure plate springs broke causing the release bearing to catch. I never had the plate slip, so I don't suspect a worn plate, but given that I have to take the tranny out, I might as well replace that too. I did a part check using the EPC disk that I have and all pieces seem to be available, but pricey according to MB Classic website. Release bearing is Euro 53 which is not bad, assuming it is the right part...

According to the workshop manual I have the G 76/27 A transmission.

Bert

I installed a 3.27 rear axle in my stick shift 3.5 coupe instead of the original 3.69. Makes it much more drivable in daily traffic and on the freeway. With my 225/55/16 tires im doing 2500 rpm at 60 instead of over 3000 and acceleration was hardly affected.

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Tony H
W111 280SE 3.5 Coupe
Manual transmission

Past cars:
Porsche 914 2.0
'64 Jaguar XKE Roadster
'57 Oval Window VW
'71 Toyota Hilux Pickup Truck-Dad bought new
'73 Toyota Celica GT

Not having done any research in rear axles, what car did you get yours from? Sounds appealing and a lot easier as an upgrade than finding an elusive 5 speed, changing tranny mount points and shortening drive shaft.

Bert
Also with Euro 3.5 4 speed coupe

Quite remarkably I too have installed a 3.27 rear axle in a 3.5 stick shift. I've had two 3.5 sticks but converted only one. It absolutely transforms the car. The 3.69 is geared like a riding lawnmower. I used to get 25 mpg on the highway after the conversion. The 3.27 comes from anything 108 or 109 and 4.5 liter - that is 280SE 4.5, 280SEL 4.5 and 300SEL 4.5. I've seen it shown as 3.23 in some materials - I think they may have come either 3.23 or 3.27. Of course a 109 6.3 is even taller - 2.85 I think, but it's my understanding that it's not as smooth a fit.

Well, I pulled the transmission and cause of failure was a completely busted thrust bearing with what seemed to be a remnant of a guiding tube. Yoke is slightly damaged (still available from MB), but pressure plate and disk seemed to be ok from what I could tell. More inspection later. Piece of casting from starter motor was also loose. The guiding tube ring was loose and I found one bolt in the bellhousing, three are missing. I am wondering whether an older repair had been done on my 4 speed before.

I discovered I have serial number 000201 stamped on it. My car's serial number is 000741. So. there are at least 200 other 4 speeds out there (unless they started at a higher number to begin with). I will make some pictures in case people are interested in seeing a V8 4-speed.

Bert

At least 200 other 4 speeds (G76/27As) out there but not all in 3.5 coupes. They were also going into 300SEL 3.5s and at some point into early Euro 350SLs - not sure of the timing of this. The number of 4 speed 3.5 coupes is generally thought to be about 130. Some importer was actively bringing them to the U.S. because there's at least a dozen of them here and maybe a couple dozen. Just as aside I once saw an ad in the LA AutoTrader for a 5 speed 300SEL 3.5. I drove quite a ways to see - and it was a stick but a 4 speed, not a 5 (or 5th gear was reverse). Even then I would have bought it but it was in sad shape. Stick shift 350SLs were sold through much of the 70s in several countries.

It's a very strong transmission - sounds like somebody had been in it before.

Yes, somebody has been in there and did not do a good kob of putting the transmission back after what seems to have been a clutch job. The pressure plate has a date on it of 94 (I think) which makes sense from what I know of the history/receipts of the car (some previous owner had two left hands and spent a bundle, it seems). Slave cylinder also looks replaced and clutch disk looks thick. Not much dust from friction plate wear either. So, looks like a guide tube failure causing a thrust bearing failure causing massive noise.

Out of curiosity, has anybody ever SEEN a 5 speed G72/26 A transmission for the V8? Even the EPC is a bit weird on that for the 3.5 coupes and the workshop manual (on CD) states that it will be "available soon"...

Bert
(in Atlanta with 111 280SE/c 3.5 (4 speed))

Heard rumors but never seen one and think it's unlikely in a 3.5 coupe. If it ever happened it was probably in a later 116motor/107 body - which was still offered elsewhere with 116 motor after U.S. got all 117 motors.

PS - think you meant G76/27A, and then I believe they added a 5 on the end.