Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: Tomnistuff on July 15, 2015, 19:59:26

Title: Engine and Manual Transmission Installation Question
Post by: Tomnistuff on July 15, 2015, 19:59:26

I’ve been reassembling my 230SL without the engine and transmission following a rotisserie restoration.  Stand-up access to the engine compartment makes it very much easier to assemble the car stuff.  I planned to install the engine and manual transmission as a single unit after the rest of the car is finished.

Here’s my potential problem.  I am integrating an air conditioning system (my design) into the original heating and ventilation system and am almost finished with the under-dash system.  I’ve built the AC system into a console that I’ve designed.  As a result of the design, removing the front upper tunnel plate will require removal of the AC system.

Here’s my question.  If I install the transmission on the engine with all of the manual shifter system installed to the transmission  except for the shift lever parts encircled in the attached EPC illustration, will I then be able to attach the encircled shifter parts to the rear of the transmission rods without removing the front upper tunnel cover?  My plan is to tie the rods in place by strapping each one to the transmission with some heavy cord, then after the engine and trans are installed, clip each cord as I attach that part to the shifter lever and plate to the rear of the trans rods.

Will that work?  I seem to remember that I didn’t have to remove the upper tunnel cover when I replaced my bushings at the rear.  If that’s true, then I shouldn’t have to remove the tunnel cover to assemble the shifter system, so long as the rods are already attached at the front.

Any opinions or experience?

Tom Kizer

Title: Re: Engine and Manual Transmission Installation Question
Post by: ja17 on July 17, 2015, 13:53:33

Good thinking. Should work just fine!

Title: Re: Engine and Manual Transmission Installation Question
Post by: Tomnistuff on July 17, 2015, 14:44:41

Thanks, Joe.

I can now stop sweating and continue on with the car assembly.  Even if we are wrong, I think the chance that it will work is a high enough probability that it will be worth the attempt.

Things are going well, but I still don't know if I'll be able to drive the car to PUB2015.  But, I'll be there in a Mercedes, whether it's new or old.

Tom Kizer