85 300D Tranmission Ideas
10-13-2009, 10:33 PM
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Mercedes Benz 300D
85 300D Tranmission Ideas
I have an 1985 300D with 169,000 miles on it. The trans just went out. Perhaps we can agree that MB transmissions are less than reliable and seriously expensive to rebuild , the diesel motors are rock solid. Is there anyone that put a GM turbo 350 or 400 or a 700R4 transmission in a 300D? They are certainly better transmissions and half the cost to rebuild. Is this even possible?
10-14-2009, 12:20 PM
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1982 300D VNT, 1980 240D 3.0T, 1982 300TD
Why would you want to put GM slushbox junk in your German car? What makes you believe the transmission went out with such low mileage? Unless the ATF changes have been neglected, even your 722.4 should be good for 300k+ miles.
Find a good 722.3 and matching torque converter from an 82-84 car.
Find a good 722.3 and matching torque converter from an 82-84 car.
10-14-2009, 02:31 PM
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Mercedes Benz 300D
I had mine serviced every 50,000 miles. The 300d auto transmission just burned up, and I have 169,000 miles on it. It has always been a hard shifter, every 300D I have rode in acts the same way. Rolls Royce puts GM transmissions in their cars. So I thought since I have a TH400, Th350, and a 700R4 it may be a good swap. I am getting prices for around 2K to service and rebuild the tranny, which I think is to expensive for the car. Don't get me wrong I love the 300D my wife hates it because of the cost of maintenance, and you know if momma isn't happy aint nobody's happy. By the way I have an 1985 300D and I understand and have been told that only a 1985 MB trans will fit. Is that true? Thanks for your response.
10-15-2009, 02:20 AM
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1982 300D VNT, 1980 240D 3.0T, 1982 300TD
Thats much too long. 30k miles at most.
Thats a vacuum issue. At these car's age, they are nearly guaranteed to have cracked plastic and rubber vacuum hoses that leak and a worn out vacuum control valve on the injection pump that doesn't supply correct vacuum levels.
And Jaguar uses Ford chassis. Doesn't automatically mean its a good combo.
You should see around $200 for a good used one.
Somewhat. The 85's 722.4 transmission is unique to that year/model. It used the EGR computer to aid in shift quality, has a low 4.25:1 1st gear to compensate for the 2.88 rear end and is built much weaker than the older 722.3.
The 722.3 will bolt up and work, but it will be much slower accelerating in 1st gear.
It has always been a hard shifter, every 300D I have rode in acts the same way.
Rolls Royce puts GM transmissions in their cars.
I am getting prices for around 2K to service and rebuild the tranny
have been told that only a 1985 MB trans will fit. Is that true?
The 722.3 will bolt up and work, but it will be much slower accelerating in 1st gear.
