Any TD's (Wagons) with manual trans??

[TomJ]

Am picking up a 300TD next week and am going to retro a 4-speed manual into it. Was wondering if any were imported with a manual trans? Anyone here have one?

[Palangi]

I saw a gray market 240TD manual in the Autotrader a couple years ago, but have never heard of a manual 300TD except for the one Randy put together.

[djugurba]

I almost bought a non-turbo '82 300TD european model that was for sale. It had a manual tranny. Then, just a couple of weeks ago, I saw the same car, painted a different color. Indeed, roll-up windows, manual transmission, non turbo 5 cyl engine. sadly, rusting out in spots.

but to answer your question, yes, they do exist.

[DieselBone]

TomJ,

I have two 300TD's (83&82) I'd love to put a 4 speed in one of them. Let me know how it goes. I'm not sure its as easy to put a 4 speed man in an auto 300D (TD) than a 240, since they imported them both ways......Let us know what goes on

[TomJ]

Originally Posted by DieselBone

TomJ,

I have two 300TD's (83&82) I'd love to put a 4 speed in one of them. Let me know how it goes. I'm not sure its as easy to put a 4 speed man in an auto 300D (TD) than a 240, since they imported them both ways......Let us know what goes on

OK, I've done this convert to a few 300D's and hope it's no different with the TD.

Now the question is should I use the older cast iron/unit construct tranny in it, or the newer aluminum one? The cast iron one definitely has stouter synchro's, but if I sell the wagon, I don't want to lose the good tranny? Hmm.....

[R Leo]

Tom,
I cannot imagine it being any different to install a manual in a wagon than a sedan...they both have the same length driveshafts and all the widgits are in the same places.

Stick in the cast iron box and, if you decide to sell, swap for the aluminum one. By your own admission, the swap is a 45min task. NBD, right?

[patterson]

There were no 5-cylinder diesels officially imported in this country with a manual transmission. The 300D was marketed as more of an upscale car.

There were a few brought in gray market. I bought a euro 300TD off of eBay a couple years ago with a 4 speed manual, and used the whole manual configuration in my 83 300 Turbo. The wagon is the same as the sedan as far as the conversion goes, same wheelbase etc.

I also had a euro 300D sedan with a manual that I parted out for the flywheel to make my 5-speed turbo wagon.

Good luck with your conversion, but from my experience I would suggest finding a proper 300D flywheel and statically balancing it to match the flex plate on your automatic engine to ensure smooth operation.

[TomJ]

Originally Posted by patterson

There were no 5-cylinder diesels officially imported in this country with a manual transmission. The 300D was marketed as more of an upscale car.

There were a few brought in gray market. I bought a euro 300TD off of eBay a couple years ago with a 4 speed manual, and used the whole manual configuration in my 83 300 Turbo. The wagon is the same as the sedan as far as the conversion goes, same wheelbase etc.

I also had a euro 300D sedan with a manual that I parted out for the flywheel to make my 5-speed turbo wagon.

Good luck with your conversion, but from my experience I would suggest finding a proper 300D flywheel and statically balancing it to match the flex plate on your automatic engine to ensure smooth operation.

Good, someone else with one, thanks for the info.

As far as the flywheel, the 240D flywheel will yield the exact same results if match-balanced to the orig flexplate from the engine (if I remember to mark the crank/flexplate when removed, then again, this car may have them marked already, some do, some don't.)

[TomJ]

Originally Posted by R Leo

Tom,
I cannot imagine it being any different to install a manual in a wagon than a sedan...they both have the same length driveshafts and all the widgits are in the same places.

Stick in the cast iron box and, if you decide to sell, swap for the aluminum one. By your own admission, the swap is a 45min task. NBD, right?

Good point. That's just what I'll do.

It's just that I might sell it immediately after doing the conversion? Might just do the alum one and sell it after detailing the interior. I don't really have the $'s to keep the car, though it only has 144k on it and is in great shape (other than needing some engine maintenance and a tranny) so it'll be hard to get rid of it after doing the work on it???

[R Leo]

Originally Posted by TomJ

...so it'll be hard to get rid of it after doing the work on it???

Absolutely, but not for the reason you think; you'll like the way wagons handle so much better you'll wanna dump those boring sedans.

[jim16671836]

I saw a 5 speed(6 counting reverse) manual station wagon a couple weeks ago. It is locared in North Carolina about 50 miles from Chatanooga TN. I got to ride in the poassenger seat. The guy is a young sharp mechanical engineer...Jim

[R Leo]

Originally Posted by jim16671836

I saw a 5 speed(6 counting reverse) manual station wagon a couple weeks ago. It is locared in North Carolina about 50 miles from Chatanooga TN. I got to ride in the poassenger seat. The guy is a young sharp mechanical engineer...Jim

was it a 123?

[drzvw]

Originally Posted by djugurba

I almost bought a non-turbo '82 300TD european model that was for sale. It had a manual tranny. Then, just a couple of weeks ago, I saw the same car, painted a different color. Indeed, roll-up windows, manual transmission, non turbo 5 cyl engine. sadly, rusting out in spots.

but to answer your question, yes, they do exist.

Yes they do exist! I own the 83 300TD euro sadly rusting out in spots but happily running on WVO! Non turbo manual 4speed trans.

[grimgaunt]

I've seen two, and owned one in Dallas 14 yrs ago, they do exist.

[vollpreuss]

There was one on EBay a couple of months ago. It was an early 81 model with 4 speed and Turbo. Seller claimed it was original.