5 spd into W126
 

So what models can I (try to) get a 5-spd from to fit my 300sd and the stock 617?

with enough $$$$$, anything can be done:P

None from the USA. You'll have to find a gray market 240D, 300D, 280E or 280CE.

someone installed a 4 speed into an SD

it is possible.. Actually he did it twice since the first one(bought with the 4 speed in it) was wrecked.. so he swapped it all over

I was afraid of that
 

So the 5 speed gassers had the starter on the other side or otherwise won't bolt up eh?

And JackG's comment about it only being a case of enough money...

I guess if a guy had the time/money he might get a flywheel and clutch from a 4-spd 240 and build some sort of adapter to use a chevy 5-spd.??

Only the 280 M110 will work, the 200, 230 and 250 won't.

I want a 5 speed gasser tranny to swap into a 4spd case.

so strength-wise, is the 4 speed or the 5 speed stronger? Say someone found a 240-D in the junk yard, I would imagine you would need (at least) a custom drive-shaft to install it into a W126? But also what about the trans-mount, clutch pedal / hydraulics and shifter assembly? Would these W123 parts work or would you need to get these from a manual W126? If the W123 parts swap in directly or at least with some light modifications, this seems like a realistic and fairly easy swap to do ones self!

You might want to talk to lutzTD.....he is working the bugs out on that
to put a 5spd(gasser)into his coupe

I have read that the 123 pedal cluster will work in a 126 with minor modification. The 123 five speed and four speed are the same iron case tranny but the fiver has a bolt on fifth od section on the back. They are both very very rugged and will take about whatever you want to bolt them to.

Tom W

I feel confident that a swap can be done in a work day barring issues.

I like that!
 

That is a very cool idea. I gather that 5 speeds that aren't worn out are even more rare and rebuild parts might be hard to come by.

You need to find a 280SE, which is a euro model. They are pretty rare in this country but the ones I have seen are usualy 4spd manuals. Since its the exact same car as your SD you would have all the little parts needed to make it work.

If you want to do it I think finding one of those would be your best bet.

I don't know about the W220, but up to the W140 you could get a manual in the super base stripped S class. They were mostly sold to hotels.

That being the case (pun intended)
 

I had no idea that both were built in the same case. Are they both Getrags?
-I'll bet many of the parts would be the same, some shafts/bearings/bushings may be the same size etc.. And the parts that wear the most 1st & 2nd syncro rings (I suppose) wouldn't be a problem, and hopefully the 5th gears wouldn't be as worn. Most of my (limited) experiance with manual tranys is on old Harleys-top gears hardly worn at all.

Thanx for the directions guys
 

As soon as I can get a bit caught up in my work I'll start searching the pick-in pulls up here. (not that there are many Benzes up here anyway) We've had pretty low humidity up here since Xmas and I've had a parade of cracked guitars, basses fiddles mandolins etc. etc. to repair(my day job)-the good part is that the x-mas bills are now paid and gives me a bit more pocket money for parts:D