5 speed drive & driven gears (speedo)

[jeffc280sl]

I'm rebuilding a manual 4 speed transmission and will be installing it on my SL.  A while back I installed a 3,27 rear axle from a 280SEL 4.5.  I would like to correct the speedometer/odometer for the 3,27 rear axle.  I have the option today of making that change in the transmission with a new drive and driven gear set.  Fifth gear in the ZF 5 speed, with a 3,92 rear axle is essentially the same as my 4 speed with the 3,27 rear axle.  Does anyone know the ZF gear set part numbers, if they will work in my transmission and if they are available?

Thank you,

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Chad]

I sure wouldn't have a clue about numbers Jeff.  But from what I've heard the availability of the part(s) you mention is positively almost zero.  I would be interested to learn if otherwise. Perhaps the Maserati groups would have different sources.

1967 230SL

[George Des]

Jeff,

Chad is right--you'd be looking for hen's teeth here. Most if not all of the sources for new ZF S5-20 parts have dried up. The Maserati group may have some used parts available--I've actually seen some on e-bay, but be forewarned the prices are out of sight.

George Des

[al_lieffring]

quote:Originally posted by jeffc280sl

I'm rebuilding a manual 4 speed transmission and will be installing it on my SL.  A while back I installed a 3,27 rear axle from a 280SEL 4.5.  I would like to correct the speedometer/odometer for the 3,27 rear axle.  I have the option today of making that change in the transmission with a new drive and driven gear set.  Fifth gear in the ZF 5 speed, with a 3,92 rear axle is essentially the same as my 4 speed with the 3,27 rear axle.  Does anyone know the ZF gear set part numbers, if they will work in my transmission and if they are available?

Thank you,


Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

Jeff;

The speedometer drive ratio at the transmission on all Mercedes is the same regardless of the rear axle ratio or number of transmission speeds.

Unlike American cars that used the same speedo head for all axle ratios and calibrated them by changing the gears that drove the cable. Mercedes chose to run the same tail housing gear ratio on all cars and use a different speedometer head for each different axle ratio.

There was never a (113)Sl or (111)SEC that had the 3.27 ratio so the components to recalibrate the odometer to that ratio may not exist.

Call a speedometer shop and ask if they have the components to do this conversion.

Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
Jones'n for a new gas tank

[hill]

A good speedo shop should be able to set you up with gears or stonger magnets.

[jeffc280sl]

Thanks for your comments.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed