Author Topic: 280SL Manual Shift Gears and Innards Same As W108 Column Shift?  (Read 162 times)

Leester

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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.
Lee Backus
1970 280SL
1963 220SE Cabriolet
1978 450SL - sent off to son in Shenandoah Valley
1985 500SEC - sent off to son in Shenandoah Valley

Benz Dr.

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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.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

ja17

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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.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Leester

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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. 
Lee Backus
1970 280SL
1963 220SE Cabriolet
1978 450SL - sent off to son in Shenandoah Valley
1985 500SEC - sent off to son in Shenandoah Valley

Jack the Knife

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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.
1964 230SL "Blue Note"
2015 G550 "Milk Truck"