Anyone ever heard of some one putting a manual transmission into a W126 300SD? would a 4 speed form a 240D work? i've been wondering about this for a while. figured that if anyone knew about this they would be on this forum.

thanks

Nik

the trans from a 240D would fit a OM617 equiped W126 but what would you do for a clutch pedal assy? or a different length driveshaft, or shifter assy? not to mention the sending unit for the speedo thats electrical adn not cable driven.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

All good points. I'm not atempting to do this. but i've just never seen a 126 with any thing other then an auto and i think a manual would be a fun drive... just curious

Sure, a 240's 4-speed manual would work, fabbing a driveshaft wouldn't be any more difficult for a 126 than a 123 and, it might just be possible to find a manual-equipped gasser Euro W126 to donate a pedal assembly for such a project. However, as BHD has mentioned, the 126 has an electrically powered speedo and I know for a fact that the speedo drive in the tailhousings are not interchangeable between auto and manual.

But, the turbo 617 is ungoverned between 1100rpm and max revs making for some strange and unpredicable shifting. Personally, I think something that is so unequivocally a luxury vehicle like the 126, really isn't a candidate for a manual tranny. The 603 engine does seem to be governed and may actually be a better candidate for a project like this.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

VDO makes a speed sensor in which the speedometer cable, coming from the transmission, can be connected to, which in turn produces an electronic signal for the speedo...

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Nick
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2002 Sprinter 2500 140" High Roof :

idea. some have said the pedal cluster from the 123 will work. i dont know. they were certainly made that way in europe.

i would not worry about the shifting at all. it couldnt be any more trouble than my dodge cummins sixer with 500 ft lb torque. it all comes on rather quickly at about 18oo rpm. you have to keep an eye peeled at the tach. but after driving it a while you can do it by ear just fine. and when towing it is a lot longer wait for the times to shift so looking at the tach is no prob.

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.

I want to make my sd an sds and the speedo is whats holding me up. Does anyone have any info on this speed sensor that 240Demon is talking about.

Thanks
-Joey

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1988 Toyota Camry Wagon......CRUSHED
1988 Porsche 944.......SOLD
1984 300SD.....SOLD
1995 Honda Civic DX... Totaled 11/13/08
1991 Madza Miata 193K and counting.....Mercedes t3 Turbocharger in the works 10 pounds per RWHP FTW

Not sure about the VDO product, but here is what M-Shop member Apotheoun 's mechanic did for his 300SDS.

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1983 123.133 California
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