SD manual transmission? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

iNeon · #1 07-08-2005, 09:49 PM

Putting Shlomo on the market has made me think about what i want his successor to be...

I know I want a manual transmission in it, i just dont enjoy the automatic so much, its the reason im selling(shameless plug-- go look at Mr. Shlomo, he's in the for sale listings

) well, beyond the color thing, i just dont think the white paint is for me, i want a cranberry red or even the fire engine red, with tan interior.

Is it possible to find a big S body with a manual transmission? can one be fitted if not? anyone got one?

rickjordan · #2 07-08-2005, 10:37 PM

You're not going to find any big Benz with a manual gearbox in the U.S. I know I have sean pictures in the factory manual for a W116 that showed a manual tranny. So they did exist, but not here. Your big problem is getting a manual tranny from Europe.

t walgamuth · #3 07-09-2005, 12:14 AM

i have seen a few advertised for sale. there are prob some in salvage yards but rare as hens teeth and desireable, so finding one will be a job.

t walgamuth · #4 07-09-2005, 12:15 AM

they would be euro models, for sure. htere are also a few euro sl sticks around.

t walgamuth · #5 07-09-2005, 12:48 AM

after rereading your original post i think it boils down to needing a pedal cluster and shifter. although i think there is a very good chance that the shifter from a 123 will fit. the rods may need shortening or lengthing. the bell houseing and clutch and flywheel from a 240 should work, some of the parts from a euro 280sl will also i believe. this is assuming you already have a manual tranny from a 240 or other model.

iNeon · #6 07-09-2005, 02:36 AM

yeah, i was thinking of finding a 300SD with a broken auto tranny and doing the swap a'la 300d.

i have a good mechanic that can bolt things into the car cheaply(a word i really like when talking about mechanickin') and my father and i would do the finishing, but i would like the job to be as straight forword as possible, no fabrication!

i am not capable of contracting that work out(im on a students budget) but could put the accessories on myself.

any tips on locating parts for euro spec 126s? web links would be great!

i just worry about the cost of automatic transmission replacement and also enjoy driving a manual! once i replaced 3 transmissions in my first car, i decided id never own another automatic... but here i am, an automatic transmission driver.

for some reason i feel like sriving an automatic car isnt exactly driving, more like steering. with a manual you become an active part of it all, i really appreciate that!

thanks for the help youall!

t walgamuth · #7 07-09-2005, 02:39 PM

cluster. has a different part no. from 123 bod but i dont know what the diff is. i suspect that they might be similar enough to make work somehow.

iNeon · #8 07-09-2005, 08:52 PM

so are we talking about the 116 s body or the 126?

i would MUCH rather the big square 126 than the 116, i dont really care for the 116 body, it looks like a picasso painting of a 123, just weird dimensions or something

rickjordan · #9 07-09-2005, 09:55 PM

Actually the 123 is like a shortened 116. The 116 series started in '73 I believe, and the 123 came out 2 or 3 years later. When I had my '80 SD, my father and I compared his '85 300D to my SD. The size of the doors were similar, it was just the front and rear ends that were longer.

Hatterasguy · #10 07-09-2005, 10:17 PM

I have seen two or three 280SE/L's in this country with 4sd manuals. They are rare, their was one that came up for sale in NY right after I bought my SDL.

iNeon · #11 07-09-2005, 11:08 PM

heh heh its not important if the front end and rear end were the only difference, those are the parts of the car i dont like!

so it can be done if i sign on the dotted line promising my first born for a driveshaft,flywheel,shifter,shifter linkage, pedal cluster and manual transmission?

#12 07-10-2005, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iNeon

so it can be done if i sign on the dotted line promising my first born for a driveshaft,flywheel,shifter,shifter linkage, pedal cluster and manual transmission?

...and second and third...

A manny SD would be sweet. TomJ and grimgaunt might be the best sources for these conversions. It can be done.

iNeon · #13 07-10-2005, 02:44 AM

well thats great!

now i have to just wait and see if someone is going to buy ole shlomo.

im looking for 2500. i dont think its an astronomical price, hes in pretty good shape and 2500 doesnt buy much car in any brand, let alone a mercedes benz!

now how much will this conversion cost me?

#14 07-10-2005, 08:27 AM

The 116 might LOOK much like a 123, but that's where the similarity stops. The cars are TOTALLY different.

There are a few euro cars in the country with manuals. Converting one will require MANY more parts and fabrication than you can imagine. The only way that I would do one is if I had a donor car of the same body series setting next to the recipient. It is much more involved than the pedal assembly and cobbling together a shifter.

Good luck,

t walgamuth · #15 07-10-2005, 09:24 AM

is there? i have converted a couple of cars. pedal cluster with master cyl. , clutch with slave cyl., throw out, pilot bearing, shifter, shifter rods, shorten or lengthen driveshaft, and adapt backup light switch wire. for this you need a whole car?

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