W126 gearbox issue / replacement ... Please help!!!

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Hi there I hope someone could help me out here, I'm pretty sure my gearbox has had it in my 1990 w126 500 sec.

I was hoping someone with experience could help me with this. In cross reference to my vin my gearbox Is a 722.356 and the other possible option that could have gone in was a 722.311 which is used in a r129 often?

I have heard that it is possible to put "Any" 722.3 box in as long as the LSD is same is it? Or same cut out is already in the housing or cut out? I'm not too sure

...my first question is could someone please tell me from my vin what I have on my hands...is it LSD? Or not and what other options was it built with, just so I know 100% what I do have.

...my second is could I fit a 420 box in 'nice and easy' I.e. Minimal/same effort as it's easier to get one for me. Is it just the ratio/s or just final drive that's affected. or would it be more effort with wiring/ecu's potentially I don't have a clue there as you probably already guessed. The box I may put in if it is a good idea is a 722.355 It may even suit my use if it is just simply different ratio's. What is the difference?

....also what in your opinion do you feel the best thing is to do under the circumstances I have?

Please help me. Thank you

 

[Drift500sec]

The V.I.N. is

WDB1260442A532041

 

[Drift500sec]

Please can someone help me as soon as possible

 

[Scott_F]

....also what in your opinion do you feel the best thing is to do under the circumstances I have?

Please help me. Thank you

I'm sorry to say it (especially as I don't know the condition of your car) but these cars are not usually worth a huge amount and your best option may to sell it for spares or repair.

 

[grober]

VIN NO
WDB 1260442A532041

Gives
ENGINE NO
11796522029205
GEARBOX NO
722356 03 342518

OPTIONS CODES
list VIETNAM SPEC????? But the codes for these older cars are a bit iffy?
It does however list 256 LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL

Quoted from elsewhere So can't vouch for authenticity??:_
Yes, 256 is LSD. Probably a 2.24, maybe a 2.82.

Crawl under the car and look at the back of differential housing. Take a rag and some Brake Cleaner with you. Looking at the back of the diff, on the bottom left flat area there will be some stampings - MB P/N and the last 3 digits will be the ratio. You'll have to spray/clean the grime off to get to the digits - probably will need a flashlight to see the #'s. If a LSD, on the bottom right of the diff housing, there will be a metal plate attached that says "Sperrdifferential".

Contrary to the poster above these are an appreciating classic and if the body is in good nick its well worth repairing.

 

[grober]

try this for an option code list
Comprehensive Option Code List - Mercedes-Benz Forum

and

Gear ratios varied between the transmissions.

W126-500SE-2-Getriebe/en ? Mercedes-Benz Classic Wiki - Online-Lexikon rund um Mercedes-Benz Oldtimer


Before 9/88: I: 3.68; II: 2.41; III: 1.44; IV: 1.0; R: 5.14

From 9/88: I: 3.87; II: 2.25; III: 1.44; IV: 1.0; R: 5.59

The 420SE's transmission has the same ratios as well.

from this thread
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd/2217625-transmission-722-356-why-cant-i.html

 

[Drift500sec]

Thank you very much grober!

So just to confirm the replacement of the 722.356 for a .355 is a viable option for me to use and should be no more or no less work providing the unit I use is in a good condition right? Sorry to basically ask the same question again but I feel I must confirm as I don't want to jump the gun and rush into it ay.

I will get under her tomorrow and confirm the LSD I hope. I imagined she was from the way she drove. Partially the reason why I have induced the shortened lifespan of her as it was too temping to turn her up as she done it so beautifully in my opinion, straight and sideways..

Also I totally agree with you grober and disagree with scottF as this is the only issue that is bad as only visible other than this is the seatbelt butler doesn't come out one side, one front wing has slight bubbling which suggestible needs replacing at some point which I will do, the boot is not rotten at all, the other areas like window sills are in good condition, etc, etc. only one year ago she had a full professional respray which is done to a high standard in my opinion and I do my thing when it comes to paint as I am fully qualified in body and paint. I had her independently evaluated and was said to be about £6500 so you would have to be stupid to split this one and it is just mere Joey Talk.

 

[grober]

Thank you very much grober!

So just to confirm the replacement of the 722.356 for a .355 is a viable option for me to use and should be no more or no less work providing the unit I use is in a good condition right? Sorry to basically ask the same question again but I feel I must confirm as I don't want to jump the gun and rush into it ay.

I will get under her tomorrow and confirm the LSD I hope. I imagined she was from the way she drove. Partially the reason why I have induced the shortened lifespan of her as it was too temping to turn her up as she done it so beautifully in my opinion, straight and sideways..

Also I totally agree with you grober and disagree with scottF as this is the only issue that is bad as only visible other than this is the seatbelt butler doesn't come out one side, one front wing has slight bubbling which suggestible needs replacing at some point which I will do, the boot is not rotten at all, the other areas like window sills are in good condition, etc, etc. only one year ago she had a full professional respray which is done to a high standard in my opinion and I do my thing when it comes to paint as I am fully qualified in body and paint. I had her independently evaluated and was said to be about £6500 so you would have to be stupid to split this one and it is just mere Joey Talk.

Never having done the swap I can't put my hand on the bible and swear to it, but assuming all dimensions /boltups are the same there's unlikely to be a problem I would have thought. I would try trawling around the USA forums a bit more as they have a lot more of these V8 engined cars over there.

The biggie body wise on these is the rear window/ and parcel shelf area. Try having a look for JayManeks thread on his epic coupe restoration on here too.