I'm just finshing up a 5 speed conversion on my Mercedes 300D engine. It will not be going in a Mercedes car though...but it easily could. I'm using a "mercedesdiesiel4x4" conversion kit for a 4.2l Jeep and T5 transmision. The Jeep T5 has the same bolt patern and input shaft, so a Mustang T5 will work (2wd). It uses the Jeep flywheel and belhousing. The adapter is about $380 and Jeep/Mustang stuff is dirt cheap. There is also an adapter by "4x4labs.com" and "transmissionadapters.com" for Chevy auto and manual transmissions...upwards of $1000 for the adapters, but once again the transmissions and flywheels are abundant and cheap with a huge range of ratios,etc. I might have the different website names mixed up, but you should find a wokable combo. I was really afraid of using the Mercedes auto trans or the 240D manual due to the cost of overhaul or availibilty of parts. All this Chevy/Ford stuff is bolt on, cheap and inexpensive to overhaul with no welding or machine work. The 4x4 guys are pretty crazy and will put just about anything in a Jeep if it will crawl up a hill. What better than a desiel. My thoughts are; my 82 300D turbo used to get high 20s mpg, so why would it not get 40mpg in a 1500lbs lighter car with a efficient OD manual trans? Am I wrong?? All in fun!

Zeke

I have heard the same thing from Marius, the guy who does some wrenching for me, who is originally from Romania.

When the fall of communism first allowed people from old soviet bloc countries to travel to western europe to buy cars, a Mercedes w123 was considered a real prize. Marius desperately wanted one but the crafty Germans of course instantly hiked their asking prices to respond to the demand, so he returned to Romania crestfallen with his distant second pick, an Audi 100 diesel.

In addition to safety checks and the bare fact that time has marched on, I also think that as wealth has emerged in these countries people have begun to respond like western consumers: newer, shinier things have more status appeal.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Build thread?

__________________
You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.

Indeed the days of getting by with a suitcase full of Levi 501s are long gone (if they ever existed!).

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

I just ordered the adapter for the T5 trans, but have all the components. As soon as the adapter comes in (a couple of days, already shipped), I'll mock up the engine/belhousing/transmission and try and figure out how to post a picture. A T5 is pretty small, but long. It will easiely fit into most trans tunnels. A world class Ford T5 will handle 300 lbs of torque, so no problem with any Mercedes diesel. The shifter is pretty far back, but the top cover and tail housing off a 4 cylinder S10 T5 exchanges onto any V8 (Ford or Chevy) T5 moving the shifter forward about 8 inches. This is a very popular low buck swap for 55-57 Chevy guys and early truck swaps. I have the same set up in my 55 Chevy Cameo with a LS1 and the shifter comes out close to the original compound low 4 speed, otherwise the shifter would be under the front edge of the seat.

Here, have a 6 speed (complete conversion kit, column shift parts available for the older models): Mercedes SL 6 Speed Gearbox 230 250 280 SL W113 W111 Conversion | eBay

__________________
Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles

Just got my adapter kit for the Jeep T5 to 300d. I may have gotten a bit screwed up...the input shaft on my WC T5 is about 1/2 inch longer than a Jeep T5 and things don't bolt up quite right. I bought a WC T5 from a 87 2.3l Mustang due to the low first gear (4:1). The input shaft might be longer on the 4 cylinder. The torque rating is still around 240'lbs. I have a buddy with a 5.0l T5, I'll go measure it. I might even set it up for a Chevy T5 (I've got a couple of them. When I get this thing bolted together, I'll make a fresh post. KZ

I do know the Ford 2.3l T5 has a smaller diameter input shaft tip at the pilot bearing than the V8 counterparts. I think shaft lengths do vary also.

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Yup, definately a 1/2" longer, but I think I've got it figured out. Also the Jeep front bearing support (throwout bearing sleeve) is larger diameter and shorter. I've got one ordered. The input splines are plenty long, so this should work (fully engage the clutch disk). The trick would have been to use a V8 Mustang T5, but I already have this one and I like the lower first gear. I went through this last year when I adapted a Chevy 5 speed to a Cummins 4BT and put it in a 55 1/2 ton Chevy PU. All in fun!

Bumping old thread-
Zeke5551
How much lower than the oil pan on the engine is the bottom of your transmission? I'm considering something similar for a 300d but am concerned about ground clearance.

His last activity was 3/20/13

Click on his user name, and send him an e-mail.

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works