Transmission conversion revisited

[plumzany]

I would like to switch my ailing 4spd with an automatic from the same year and model (1965 230sl Euro). Is this resonable from a good donor car?  I Read the other articles which discuss sedan transmissions but that's not the case here.  I know my sl so well the thought of selling it and going thru another search haunts me besides the 4spd has problems, so I'll set it and associated parts on the shelf for another day.
Thanks
MArty

[ja17]

Hello Marty,
It is a big job. First the M127 engines all have counterbalanced flywheels. You will need to have it matched to the original flywheel. You will need a front drive shaft half, shift linkages, part of a wiring harness, some other misc electrical and mechanical parts. Yes a donor car is almost a must. Some Mercedes finback sedans have most of what you need. The front driveshaft half would be special to the W113. Don't forget to remove the centering bearing in the crankshaft end if you do switch to an automatic.

Unless you are just tired of shifting, it would be much easier to repair your 4spd. Much less expensive also.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[plumzany]

Thanks Joe, for the quick reply.  My donor car is also a 230sl w/M127 engine of the same year so i have all the misc parts (driveshaft, shifter, radiator, relays, speedo, brackets, etc).  Can i just switch out the flywheels, will the trans fit on the orig flywheel, or is it more complicated.  My Lady really wants it to be an automatic.  I spent 2 years and bought 2 other 113's before I bought this one and have spent another 3 winters fixing this one up.  I shudder thinking about starting over.
Thanks Again!
MArty

[ja17]

Hello Marty,
Since you have a W113 parts car the project much more feasible. The flywheel from the automatic will have  to be installed on your engine after the centering bearing in the end of the crankshaft is removed. These flywheels on the M127 engines have a mass which is counterbalanced to the throws on its crankshaft. The whole crankshaft assembly with flywheel and front counterbalanced are balanced together. At the very least the two flywheels should be taken to a automotive machine shop and matched so you will not have a balance and vibration problem when you perform the switch.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio