euro m116 5speed into w123
 

will a 5 speed from a euro 350sl fit onto a om617 if i switch the bell housing?

The only mating five speed transmission to the OM617.9XX diesel engine that I am aware of is the Getrag 717.400. You can certainly fab anything in the world if you have the time, talent, and resources. The Getrag 717.400 (the entire set-up) is rare. You can check out STD.com for the various mods and efforts from the many talanted folks who get around its rarity.

switch bell housing from a 240d old style
 

I havn't gotten photos yet but they are coming. I think it is an old style ZF trans thats got the removable bell housing. the old MB manual transmissions are ZF I think. They did make a 5 speed weather it works on a 123 or not I dont know.
this would be from a 75 350sl or slc. with 5 speed manual transmission. I havn't seen the car in person. the owner said it was 280sl with 5 speed but it turned out to be a 350. M116

350sl's never came with a 5 speed. The only manual that came out of the factory for a v8 mercedes was a 4 speed and it should mate to a 617.

he said 5 forward gears
 

I'll be getting pictures soon. probably tonight. I asked about four times if he was sure its not a 4 speed. he claims it to be 5 forward gears and reverse. he double checked. It would be cool if it was workable for a 5 speed in the 123.

your right
 

he was mistaken. It has a four speed. he said it had the wrong shifter on it. its a 350sl 4 speed.