MB has a different part number for the crankshaft in auto versus man trans applications.

Aside from the pilot bearing issue the crankshaft is balanced with the flywheel as a unit on those motors. Look in your manual for the technique to balance a new flywheel to the old one. This would cause me no end to worry.

BUT, I have done it at least 2-3 times with no known difficulties. The pilot bearing works in the auto crank and if there were balance problems they weren't noticable over the rest of the noise/vibration.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician