is it easier to swap a 240 manual to a 300dengine or the 300 to a 240 trans
 

Is it easier to put a 300d engine from a 123 into a 123 chasse that has a 240d manual trans, or to put a 240d manual trans into a 123 chasse that has a 300d engine in it. Can it be done either way without great difficulty. I've got a 1980 300d auto, and a 1982 240d manual. The 300d trans does not go in reverse, but the engine is great. The 240 engine is great and so is the manual trans. Only thing It grinds a little when going into reverse, so I have to shift into 2nd then into reverse to shift smoothly. Hopefully thats an easy fix to be done in the swap. Is this advisable or a waste of effort. If any one has a DIY link or a very help full Post to refer Please do. I'll probably need assistance in the future on this. I'd really love to do this on my own. What special tools if any will I need and are they very expensive.

Myself, I would go with the 240 chassis since it has the totally bulletproof manual ac system. The work invovled is a little more since you will need to change the rear end as well and the speedo, the exhaust system and the radiator.

I would expect to pay my indie about 700 to put the stick tranny into the 300d including changing the drive shaft length.

I would expect to pay from 1000 to 1200 to put the 300 motor into the 240 chassis.

I have had both jobs done within the last for our five years. Both cars are working out well for us.

Tom W

Engine into the 240, definitely. The 240 is a more simple and bulletproof machine, no interior work needed (Shifter, reverse light wiring, clutch pedal assembly is already in place) and no need to swap front suspension springs.

100% normal, reverse is not synchronized so it will always grind if the clutch is still moving. Nothing you can do about it except shift into another gear first.

I would think from a simple labor standpoint that it would be easier to swap the tranny.
you have to drop the tranny, and adjust the driveshaft to change the motor on the 240, in addition to changing the motor. where the 300 would JUST need the tranny work, no real need to change the rear other than to get crisper take offs. many on the forum even have a 2.88 rear on a 4 speed.
of course you have to swap over the clutch pedals into the 300...

Just a pause for two seconds will make it not graunch if the clutch is not dragging.

Tom W

Can one slip a 617 Turbo complete with atuo trans into a 240D chasis? Thanks

Yes, the chassis is nearly identical.

FI,
Really? I have a rusted out 1985 300d that I wanted to pull out eng+tranny combo and slip into a 240D with blown engine that I am planning to buy cheap. If it is as you said, Ill be a happy camper. But how would I do the badging and registering the car? Ur ideas/opinion/suggestions please. Thanks

Badge and register it as a 240D.

Thats what I did. I got my 240D for $600 with a dead engine and swapped in my own.

Wow... U da man! Ok...look out for updates in my stable below in few months...

That's right, you heard it here
 

When it come to registration, don't ask and don't tell.

According to the VIN number, it IS still a 240D.

Thats right.

Tom W

This is the way to do it, you have both complete cars at your disposal for every little part you would ever need to swap between the two during the conversion, as well as a sample to look at to see how it all goes together and take pics of beforehand, it doesn't get any better.