Four to Five Speed Conversion
 

Hello, I am converting my 83 four speed manuel 240D to a five speed. These transmissions are almost nonexistant here in USA. So, I have inquired across the seas(and Canada) for a transmission. In the United Kingdom I have found several. My question is what other modification(components) will be required? I think the five speed transmission is longer and therefore driveshaft component will have to be changed as well. Does the same go for linkages? Finally as the British drive on the wrong side of the road, does this futher complicate the matter? I have searched the forum extensively and have been unable to find the exact nuts and bolts of this conversion but there is much disscussion. I would buy directly from Germany but searching in German is impossible for me. Can anyone recommend a German website(shop) that might have these parts forsale in English. The transmission will be rebuilt prior to instillation. Although I admire the quality of rebuilt Studggart components, I am reluctant to inquire at the dealership as my instincts tell me they will take me and my wallet for a ride. Where can I verify tansmission serial numbers and know I am buying is a five speed? Any assitance is greatly appreciated, regards, Miamirex

As far as the shift linkage goes, the pattern stays the same between both left hand and right hand drive cars. The driveshaft will probably have to be shortened, and hopefully they are shipping the tailcone mount with your transmission, along with the shifter, linkage, driveshaft, and all associated hardware.

Babelfish at Altavista will translate German websites for you. I use it all the time for German ebay and www.mobile.de.

I owned a right hand drive Mercedes 307d (a van) and I don't think there was any difference at all in the transmission and linkages. I would think the driveshaft changes can be fairly easily accomplished here rather than paying for the shipping of a driveshaft from Europe. There are lots of Mercedes 'breakers' in the UK that should be able to provide you with parts. I have a couple of links to some if you are interested. One is called MercMan. I found them quite helpful when looking for parts for my 409d.

Kerry

5 Speed
 

miamirex,

If you've already a 4 speed in your car the swap to a five speed will be a snap.

You must, however, get the shift knob assembly from inside the car and the shift linkages from under the car. If you do that everything will go in smoothly. If you can, get the short stub driveshaft from the donor car, then all that you'll have to do here is to have the driveshaft balanced when you put the front shaft into your old rear shaft.

Good luck, you'll love it!!!


Beni

four to five speed conversion
 

That's great, thanks to all for the info, will be doing the conversion probably within a month, balancing the driveshaft? Never heard of that, but makes sence. Anybody in the USA rebuild manuel transmissions for Mercedes?

Hey, thanks for this thread. Do you have any update on how the transmission swap went? I'm planning to start a swap to a manual from a 5-Speed manual out of a 1981 230 E from Germany and swapping that into my American 1984 300D. If anyone knows of any modifications other than the driveshaft that need to be done. Thanks for any help!

If for any reason you need to remove the flywheel be sure to mark it so you can put it back in the same place on the crank.

Unfortunately that gearbox won't fit if its attached to a M102 engine. Starter hump on the wrong side. (guess if you were super keen you could mod it like a guy has done with a .411 box)

The transmission that will fit your 617 engine is the 717400 look for this number on the transmission

I heard Jooseppi Luna has a pair to sell.

Indeed! Well, kind of ~ one is sold pending payment, the other is here on eBay but unfortunately has some mild damage to the case, see the ad for details. If you're swapping the transmission into a 300D turbo the damage should be irrelevant. I also have a complete 4-speed swap kit out of a 240D and a 617 flywheel (although the 617 flywheel is out of a truck/van so takes a different clutch than the sedans). All of that will be going up for sale soon.

I do have a set of 717.400 shift rods that I am 90% sure are for the 240D, I'll try to check the measurements on those if someone is interested in them.

Thanks for the shout-out, moon161 :)