280SL Manual Shift Gears and Innards Same As W108 Column Shift?

[Leester]

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.

[Benz Dr.]

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.

[ja17]

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.

[Leester]

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. 

[Jack the Knife]

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.

[Leester]

I too would be interested in knowing the value of a floor shift transmission. That said, mine is the original to the car (checked the number on the trans against the data card) and I really want to save mine, especially since it works perfectly except that it does'nt want go into second gear when shifting down from third (or if the car is moving over about 5 mph).

These transmissions, and especially parts for them seem to be getting more difficult to find.

[Benz Dr.]

If they shift OK we usually install new bearings and a seal kit. If they don't shift well we install new synchronizes.  As a rule we assemble the same way it came apart in terms of shims and other smaller parts. Replacing the speedometer drive seal is not easy to do but needed to prevent leaking.


Top covers should be interchangeable between floor shift and column shift.  Side cover shift is a different animal.

[ja17]

Do a good job sealing the bolts threads of the front and rear covers also. The holes are threaded directly into the gear box. The thin automatic transmission fluid will leak easily out of the gearbox if the threads are not sealed correctly.

[Leester]

Thanks all, with respect to sealing the bolts, I assume since we are using ATF the thread sealant has to be something pretty resistant to the effects of ATF - any suggestions on best sealant?