Hello everyone---

I'm a new participant on the forum, and hope you can help me with a solution: I have a 1985 500SEC EURO that I'd like to convert to a standard transmission. I'm told that in Europe and the Middle East, one occasionally sees a V8 126 car with a standard transmission (FOR SURE the 6-cylinder cars were built with standard transmission). I'm hoping somebody can help me with advice and parts for the conversion.

For practical reasons (not wanting to go upside down on a car that is nice, but only has modest value), I don't want to spend a fortune. After I sort out all the parts for the factory setup (5-speed, I assume?), I'd prefer to go to a 6-speed, possibly a ZF, Getrag or Tremec, depending on what would work with the bellhousing, clutch, etc. from the standard factory setup.

I've heard the Aussies have done these conversions, but the cost is over $10K. I'm looking for the original setup which, while rare, shouldn't cost a fortune from a salvage yard.

Can anybody help with my project? If you have a parts car and you're in the US, that would be ideal. Otherwise, any help with parts interchangeability information would be great. For instance, will the manual transmission setup from an old W107 350 or 450 SLC work, or are bellhousings, clutches, etc. different?

Thanks in advance,

Jim Rothrock, Windermere, Florida

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Jim Rothrock

I don't think "modest cost" and the Tremec or Getrag solutions go together.

To my knowledge, none of the V8's outside of the early 450's were offered with a manual trans, which means that you are on your own wrt flywheel, pressure plate/disc, and bellhousing. It is a open question (but IMO, doubtful) as to whether the stuff from the earlier engine would work. There is also the issue of whether or not the crank flange could take a pilot bushing.

The pedal, clutch hydraulics, transmission, linkage, and driveshaft from a standard shift W126/M110 would work - but these are pretty hard cars to find in the US.

My .02 - good luck.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

BTW - there is a 1976 280S with a five speed for sale on traderonline.com as we speak. She wants $4,000 for it. Pretty expensive way to get parts, but that is an example what you will need to do to get them.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Last v8 MB with a factory manual transmission, was the 350sel/l.

I'm guessing your v8 would make short work of the transmission from a 280s.

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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E