Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: Leester on April 29, 2025, 22:41:42

Title: 280SL Manual Shift Gears and Innards Same As W108 Column Shift?
Post by: Leester on April 29, 2025, 22:41:42

I may need some parts for my 1970 280SL manual transmission and I'm wondering if the innards of a late 6cyl W108 column shift transmission are the same as the SL. I know the column shift case is different since the column shift box shifts on the side and there is no top cover but does anyone know if the guts the same?    Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: 280SL Manual Shift Gears and Innards Same As W108 Column Shift?
Post by: Benz Dr. on April 30, 2025, 01:06:01

Basically the same depending on year. The top cover is different for column shift sedans and coupes but the box is similar.

Take the top cover off and count the number of teeth on the gears. Most will be similar but not always the same.

Title: Re: 280SL Manual Shift Gears and Innards Same As W108 Column Shift?
Post by: ja17 on April 30, 2025, 04:09:59

The early (W108), boxes themselves, are basically the same design except the some gear ratios and  top covers which can be switched. The later W108 manuals, switched to the side-cover-shifter transmission and it is quite different. These side cove units are not usable in a pagoda. The W111, W112 manual transmissions are good substitutes.  With the floor shift versions of these sedans and coupes, even the floor  shift lever parts and top transmission covers are usable. Consult the BBB or Technical Data Manuals for the exact gear ratios in all these transmissions.

Title: Re: 280SL Manual Shift Gears and Innards Same As W108 Column Shift?
Post by: Leester on April 30, 2025, 14:15:37

Thanks Dan & Joe.

I found a manual shift  transmission from a 70 280SE (steering column/side shifting) but going to pass on buying it.

Sounds like the internal guts from the side shifter won't interchange with my SL's top shifter. 

Title: Re: 280SL Manual Shift Gears and Innards Same As W108 Column Shift?
Post by: Jack the Knife on April 30, 2025, 16:54:25

What's a fair price on a 4 speed pagoda transmission? I could part with mine after it's out of the car. There should be about 80k miles on it. I am unsure of any work ever done on it, none in the service notes, shifts great.