240D manual transmission conversion
 

How do I find an expert MB mechanic to convert my '82 240D to a manual transmission? I recently had a reman MB engine installed. Several responders to my auto trans problem have recommended a conversion.

I seriously doubt that you'll be able to find an "honest-to-goodness" MBZ mechanic who would take on this sort of conversion...in fact, I'd bet that most aren't willing to admit that it can be done.

Out here in 123 land, these sorts of conversions are only attempted by people that have no life, no social skills and are borderline psychotic.

The conversion to manual, while relatively straightforward in the sense of most radical conversions, requires having all the unique parts associated with the manual as well as some fairly significant fabrication skills. If you really want to go ahead with this and, find a qualified technician, be prepared to pay hansomely for these things.

If you do happen to come across someone claiming to be able to make the swap, ask for credentials and, by all means, look at one of the their conversions.

Good luck.

dhb,

I think this swap would only be practical if you could do it yourself. I've recently seen two, 240D, manual shift cars for $1200-1500. I think the swap would cost more than that. So, just buy another car.

If you are past all that... make alot of phone calls and you would probably eventually find a "no life, no social skills psychotic" that would be able to do it right.:D

If you were not so far away, I would suggest that you bring it over to my shop so I could get started... :) ;) :)

Of course, the same could be said for having the auto trans rebuilt too! Another car is cheaper than the whole rebuilt (and installed) tranny!

Hey...., I was going to say that!

You know what though...., maybe you should sell the car to me (OK, I'm dead broke, but you could sell it to my sig other) so I can do the conversion and you could find another 240D with a manual? What did the new engine cost? How many miles on chassis? What color?

That said, you should know that I'm starting my conversion to a manual transmission next week.

Be afraid, be very afraid...

where theres a will theres a way, and a chop saw and welder help...

i convert engines, trannies and all sorts of junk...and im 23, have a job, lots a friends and am busy all the time - and i get it all done. of course my dad helps me out, but it a good father son hanging out/working relationship.

just get crackin
Jake

Well, I guess I have no life, am psychotic, insane or whatever else he said, because I would take on this conversion but only under one condition, I would have to have the manual trans donor car setting next to the recipient. That way I can get every little bracket, bolt or whatever little part or piece I needed.

That said, to pay someone to do this would be EXPENSIVE! You basically pay for car work by the hour and this would require quite a number of hours.

Good luck,

This sounds crazy but.. talk to a shop that does FABRICATING of offroad Jeeps, toyota's etc. These guys are use to Fabricating and their is some amazing guru's out there that make all kinds of stuff work some how. I suspect they too would love to have the donor car near by and that they would not be cheap. Still cheaper than a Forien car/MB type shop though.

No, there would be ZERO fabrication necessary. You would simply be taking all the manual transmission parts and unbolting them from one car and bolting them to another. No welding helmet or striker would be necessary for this job.

Have a great day,

We need a list posted of everything required to do this swap...including the sizes of the tools as they apply to each process.....
I am hoping that RLeo is crazy enough to do this when he does his...

Since I finished this conversion some time back and took pretty good notes, I'll try to gather them and pics (took those too) together and do a dedicated post on this subject. Others who've done the same can refine it (or start it and I'll refine it, however that works.)

i bought the manual tranny to do this swap, one out of a 77
240d with according to the po about 100k miles. its a 3 piece
setup; bell housing, 4spd transmission, and the rear union.
it came with the 3 connecting rods, slave cylinder and hose/pipe,
and gear shift/bracket, muffler mount, throwout bearing and the clutch lever, 2-bolt tranny bracket. i took a master cylinder, clutch pedal, return clutch spring out of a doner.

what i need: pin that holds the clutch and brake pedals to
the bracket, metal pipe and connectors that run from the
master cylinder to the slave cylinder, plastic hose and
joint that runs fron the master cylinder to the brake resovoir,
a new throwout bearing, a pilot bearing, clutch and pressure
plate, flywheel, 12- star bolts to the flywheel, tranny rubber
mount, grease, locktite, new bolts, new bushings.
not sure of the back up light setup.

havent found the car yet. almost bought one and a parts
car today, but the guy tried to cheat me on the title and registration. depending on what i get, might need a different
brake pedal, and if the car is old enough, a different brake
resovoir with the clutch nipple.

will probably do the job by dropping the subframe, lifting
the body instead for pulling the engine. (will not again
pull a tranny with the engine in) this way it will be easy to change
all the underbody rubber, replace bad engine gaskets, do
the brakes, etc.

would like to do this with a w115 using a 300turbo. will possibly
require movement of the oil filter and fabrication of a fitting
and bracket, a different or hammered oil pan, modify the
wheel well if the turbo is in the way and realine the exhaust
flex pipe.

what the project will really require i havent a clue, but if i dont
rush, keep my head and dont cheap out, it will turn out
fine. this has been my experience when going into the
unknown.

don

this site need a spell checker:)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by notlostmaybe
[B


will probably do the job by dropping the subframe, lifting
the body instead for pulling the engine. (will not again
pull a tranny with the engine in) this way it will be easy to change
all the underbody rubber, replace bad engine gaskets, do
the brakes, etc. QUOTE]


"dropping the subframe" ... What subframe ?

Larry is absolutely correct...my mistake. I forgot that this is a 240 AT -> 240 Man, not a 300 AT -> 300 Man. If you have all the parts available, it would be a breeze.

Had my 240D converted from automatic to manual about five or six years ago. Absolutely the best thing I've ever done to that car. Had it done in a shop in the DC area. It was nothing more than a bolt on operation as others have stated here. I have saved a message I wrote about it if anyone is interested.

Len
'83 240D 239,500 miles - original owner