Automatic transmission interchange

[MS Fowler]

Will an automatic from an '82 240D work in an '85 300D car? I assume it will bolt up, but are they the same internally, or is the unit for the 300D more robust?
The reason, I have a friend with an '85 300 with about 500,000 miles and the tranny is beginning to slip. He may be buying my '82 240D as a parts car. There are already a number of parts that he can swap over to make it financally viable, but if the tranny would work, it would make it even better.

[lietuviai]

I'm not sure but I think the 240D in that year may have only had a 3 speed automatic. I don't remember exactly what year they changed over to the 4 speed. Maybe someone else might know better.

Update: Look for the 722.3 model of the transmission.

[Wasuchi]

It's definately a 4-speed in the 82.... I do think they'll bolt up but I think there is some differences.

[driad_98]

I suspect the oil cooler lines mount differently and that the dipstick mounting is different.

[MS Fowler]

Driad_98
Are you saying the oil lines and dip stick themseleves are different, but they attatch to the same points, or that the mountings are different?
In other words, if we swap the tranny, and use the oil cooler lines and dipstick that came with the 300d, then it'll work?

My main concern is if the tranny will fit and work. Both are 4spds.
What about the torque converter? Even if its not as strong, but will work for a while, it might buy some time, allowing the original 300d tranny to be rebuilt at0leisure and not tie up the car. Or allow time to find a good, used 300d tranny.

[driad_98]

When I got 'the wrong' tranny for my 300, I was told it was off a 240. It had different cooler lines and dipstick. The mounting was different, and since those items are rigid, they wouldn't have worked without swapping them out for 240 cooler lines and dipstick as well.

I've been told it'll work, if you can install it. In fact, it's probably a better bet in some ways than the 'right' one, as the 240 would have treated its tranny somewhat more gently than a 300 would. Still, I didn't wanna screw with 'making it work'. I paid $550 for a good used tranny, and I wanted the RIGHT one, damnt.

Good luck!

Ash

[MS Fowler]

Thanks for the info. If my friend uses my 240d as a parts car, he will have all the pieces he needs to make it work.