Does it fit?
 

I make a kit to mount a readily available five speed manual behind an OM617, but for the time being I only bill it for converting something else to use the diesel engine. I'd like to say it could be used under the Mercedes to give a much cheaper 5speed OD option, but I just don't know if that trans would fit.

Has anyone seen a Ford 302 or 351W in a 126 or 123? I have seen pics of one in a 201, but will that big bellhousing fit in the trans tunnel under the older cars?

Are you talking T5? I haven't seen one in a Mercedes. I have seen a 350 backed by a 700R4 in a 114, or rather I've seen pictures and a craigslist ad for an unfinished conversion.

The T5 is the smallest of the 5speeds available with that bellhousing, but even if someone had stuffed an automatic under there it would give me an idea of what would fit. A C6 fitting would mean that pretty much anything would fit.
The GM fitting has me hopeful, but the 700R4 is pretty slim.

I don't think so personally. plus the shifter issue is still there coming up under the dash. You could do one of those setups to move the shifter back, but then you'd have to drop the transmission to keep it and the engine at the correct angle, and probably end up modifying the subframe or spacing it, which could work too I guess.

I think an asian 5-speed might have better luck with less work though. The tunnel narrows so quick on the MBs, and even the short small stubby MB transmissions are pretty snug when all done up.

Heres a pic of not a T5, but a comparable slightly larger size NV3500 shown next to a typical MB 4-speed and rarer MB 5-speed (in the middle), all for 617/616. If its not the bell hitting the firewall, im thinking the length of the transmission will also be a problem.

On another thread some pics of a toyota or mazda 5-speed looked really promising as far as how they were laid out and shifter location. Im looking around for that thread, but maybe a miata 5-speed, or a supra?

That is a GM T5, this is a Mustang T5:
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/v8_conversi...t5/p7mgbv8.jpg
That's only one option, though, but I'm more wondering if that bellhousing will fit.

man that mustang shifter location looks tantalizingly close!

could you make a kit to adapt the iron box MB bellhousing to the mustang T5 instead?

That's usually easier than adapting the assembled T5 to a 61X.

The trouble is, where do you get a bunch of iron bell housings cheap?

this pic is a 1992-and earlier camaro t5--bolted to a early buick 215 type bell (rover v8)

I'm kind of out of my element here, but would this be a possibility?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/3122225-post110.html

The early automatics had a bell that can be unbolted. might be able to cut off the front and weld it on another transmission of your choice. I pulled a couple, think I got them off a 80 300D and maybe an 81.

Charlie

The Miata tranny is not very big around but its pretty long....nearly twice as long as a mb tranny. I suspect it would reach nearly to the center bearing. The bell is fairly small though.

FWIW, Mustang and F body T5s had the shifter in the same spot. The S10 had the shifter at the front end of the tailhousing.
Ok, well the question I had asked has more or less been answered. I found out that a boat transom plate I have here has both GM and Ford small block patterns on it, and they are nominally the same size. I have also found several stories of GM engines in Mercedes cars, especially the 126, but I would still like some firsthand knowledge on them. The common story is that the TH400 and 700R4 require tunnel mods, but the T5 and T56 manuals fit without mods. The Mustang does use a tailshaft mounted shifter on the T5, which would put the shifter very close to the stock opening. So, it does look like this would provide a viable option for a five speed manual in a W126. I may have to pick up another one and give it a try.

sounds promising, keep us abreast.