4 Speed 300SD in the works - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DrewGerhan · #1 12-31-2008, 05:20 PM

Today I looked at a parts 240D with a manual transmission. The tranny would be going into my 81 SD. I have read about all the auto to manual conversion stories and am very confident with the whole swap. My question is, when I looked at the car I moved through the gears all engaged except for reverse. It seemed like it wouldn't even go into the pattern. I read that reverse has its own linkage and this could be the problem. My buddy also said it could be a bad synchro. Do either of these sound like a common problem? I know my way around the entire car, but having not had a manny tranny before I feel like a child walking into the middle of a movie wanting to know whats going on. ANy help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

StaggerLee · #2 12-31-2008, 05:50 PM

You have to lift up on the shifter to get it to go over into reverse. Did you do that? Otherwise it's just as you describe. Hope that helps and good luck with the swap. I love the manual.

DrewGerhan · #3 12-31-2008, 06:02 PM

Like physically pull the shifter upwards? (in the same motion as those crane games?)

arcticathlon · #4 12-31-2008, 06:48 PM

Yes, lift. then move it to the left and forward.

bgkast · #5 12-31-2008, 07:21 PM

Well there's your problem.

DrewGerhan · #6 12-31-2008, 09:12 PM

Hahaha. I feel like I have disgraced the Mercedes name. That makes a lot of sense though. I think I will buy the whole car then. It has 189k on it. Does anyone have any info about getting the mechanical and electrical speedos to work together? That and the drive shaft length are my only real questions. This also seems to be a bout a weekend project once you have all the parts. True or false?

JEBalles · #7 12-31-2008, 09:59 PM

I just wanted to offer my support for such a project. You are the only other person I've even heard of that wants a land yacht like an sd, but wants a manual too. I thought I was alone. I'm also curious how young you are. I'm currently removing my transmission for repair, which I thought was quite ambitious at 17. Also, my driveshaft could move back and forth a few inches, so it's length is variable. It seems like it should be able to accomodate another transmission quite nicely, but I couldn't swear to it, I've never been under a car with an automatic transmission. Also, are you sure the bell housing would bolt into the engine block the same way an automatic transmission would?

diesel don · #8 12-31-2008, 10:58 PM

I did the swap in an opposite application. 300D turbo engine into a 123, 240-D manual car (whose engine had blown)

Still have it out back. We enjoyed it for five years or so and it was very dependable. Still is, but my son has graduated to a TDI (or been demoted)

Fortunately, I had:

300 flywheel (from a euro manual)
Drive shaft from the same

The only mods I had to do were to shorten the linkage

I think you'll find plenty of advice on the forum as a number of guys have done it

If you have the right stuff on hand, a weekend is do-able. I've always figured about four hours to take an engine out and about the same to put the next one in. Then you can start dinking with the extras.

The guys recommended that I use a new pilot bearing.

I hope you enjoy the process as much as we did.

Diesel Don

Stevo · #9 01-01-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

Well there's your problem.

LOL, first time I drove a manual, I'm stuck in some guys driveway trying to figure out where the hell reverse is so I can finish turning around and get back to the seller

diesel123dan · #10 01-01-2009, 12:59 PM

It's interesting you should mention this. I'll be going to pickyourpart today to pull a 4 spd from a '82 sd that someone did the conversion.

winmutt · #11 01-01-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diesel123dan

It's interesting you should mention this. I'll be going to pickyourpart today to pull a 4 spd from a '82 sd that someone did the conversion.

Is the DS cut or is it OEM?

diesel123dan · #12 01-01-2009, 01:15 PM

Haven't seen it yet, but my mechanic buddy called woke me up because p-y-p has everything 50% off this week. I'll take everything for the trans and whatever doesn't work in mine, I can sell.

Stevo · #13 01-01-2009, 01:16 PM

I believe a manual tranny would bolt up but coming up with the pedal assembly may be a problem. I haven't heard of that swap being done, but it would be nice to have a manual in an SD.

bgkast · #14 01-01-2009, 03:38 PM

The W123 pedals work with minimal modification. Try a search for "SDS" here on this forum for info on another manual SD

DrewGerhan · #15 01-01-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEBalles

I just wanted to offer my support for such a project. You are the only other person I've even heard of that wants a land yacht like an sd, but wants a manual too. I thought I was alone. I'm also curious how young you are. I'm currently removing my transmission for repair, which I thought was quite ambitious at 17. Also, my driveshaft could move back and forth a few inches, so it's length is variable. It seems like it should be able to accomodate another transmission quite nicely, but I couldn't swear to it, I've never been under a car with an automatic transmission. Also, are you sure the bell housing would bolt into the engine block the same way an automatic transmission would?

Well I am 18. My buddy and I have done many transmission and clutch jobs on various vehicles like Jeeps, Broncos, Subarus but this will be the first time with a Benz. As for the bell housing, it will bolt up just like the auto. Only thing I'm worried about will be the custom drive shaft, but I'll have a shop do that. Other than that I'm going to get a new clutch, pressure plate, resurface the flywheel, new pilot bearing and anything else I need too. My new job at Auto Zone is really going to help here. I plan on pulling the engine from my SD, removing the auto, attaching the manual and putting it back in as a unit. This is after I clean and paint them both of course. I'm hoping to start the day after midterms so I can afford to not have the car for a few days if need be.

With the engine out I am definitely going to "adjust" the torque control some more. I found today at a local yard, another hood. This is going to have a hole cut in it and have a 3in stack come up through the hood. This in no way will be permanent, but only because I lost a bet. Haha.

I will definitely take pictures of everything while I go. Anyone who has done this have anything they'd like to share?