WTF..?!?...there's a 722.323 bolted up to my m119...?

[valvfloat]

so i'm poking around trying to source my slow trans fluid leak...

i notice the stamping on the case...what..?...peer closer...what...? is that .323...?...sure enough...

126 270 76 01 722 323 02 913533

so i take it my .370 has been replaced at some point...

is this a big deal from a functionality standpoint...?...i couldn't care less about matching #'s etc...

are they less robust than the 365/370 versions...?...does anyone know the differences...?

i'm likely looking to major tranny work within the year...should i get the proper 365/370 box or rebuild the 323....?

most importantly will the '95 e420 valve body i just picked up operate as it should...?

thanks guys....

 

[gsxr]

Wow. That is bizarre. The 722.323 tranny appears to have been used from 1986-1988 in the 560SEC, 126.045 chassis. I don't know anything beyond that.

Gerry, do you know if the early 560SEC was 1st-gear start or 2nd-gear start?

 

[195910]

I don't want to sound too harsh. But....

Hmmm...a cheap, undocumented, Jap Import 500E with only "60tkm" and a wrong tranny, Where have I been warned about this ???!!!

 

[valvfloat]

not to worry 195910...i didn't buy this car as an investment...!!!

i went in knowing the risks involved and that there were likely to be a few surprises...

mind you i have been telling myself "you didn't pay 15k, 18k or 20k....don't sweat it...you paid 11K and change..."

i just hope it is not a odometer rollback...i haven't any evidence at this point other than a replaced autobox...many, many other components show little wear and appear appropriate for the mileage...

plus the fact it simply doesn't make sense to take the risks of rolling back an odometer if you're selling it for below market...to my thinking it only makes sense if one is taking a high miler, doing the deed, and then asking market value or more....otherwise, like i mentioned, why bother...?

after owning, driving and poking around the car at length....the conclusion i've come to is the car very likely has the original mileage, however i suspect it has spent much of its time in metro traffic crawling along and idling...this car many not have many miles, but i do believe it has quite a few HOURS...

 

[gsxr]

Having seen the car in person (briefly!), I think it was definitely a good deal... rare paint color, rare interior, sweet AMG 3-pc wheels, etc. For the price, I think it was worth it even if there are a few kinks to iron out!

 

[gerryvz]

The 1986-91 560SEC (Gen 2 C126/V126) with the 5.6 liter motor was definitely second-gear start, just the same as our E500Es.

BergWerks offered the identical FGS module for the 560SEC (I have one installed) as for the E500E.

A lot of Gen 1 SECs/SELs had first gear start from the factory. Depends on the motor type. There is, in fact, a factory FGS module that fits under the dash, that can be retrofitted to Gen 2 (later) cars to provide FGS. It's not as functional as the BergWerks unit, not to mention it's about as rare as rocking horse poop in the US but can be found if you look for it. I am not sure if other 126s (such as the 300 & 350SD/L, 280SE/L, 380SE/L 500SEL or 420SE/L had FGS but I believe several of them -- even Gen2 cars -- did).

The 722.3 as used in the 560SEC is just as robust as the one used in our cars, although it is not as snappy/crisp shifting as the E500E unit.

Would be interesting to learn what the gear ratios are internally. If they are 560SEC ratios, they are different than our E500E ratios.

I would recommend, when it's time to do so, that you source a used E500E transmission. Get the proper unit for the car. My friend Robert in San Francisco has several available at all levels of mileage, or you could go with a wrecker such as Potomac German Auto. You may also want to try Aurora Auto Wrecking in the Seattle area. Not only are they physically closer, but they are also logistically set up to ship to Canada and know the ins and outs of such. Of course if it were me, I'd throw a unit in my trunk and cross the border at a smaller checkpoint somewhere east of Blaine..... such as Sumas, etc.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[T-500]

Hey, Valvfloat;

if and when you get major transmission work done...

I was talking to a guy with a "300" who researched the Vancouver tranny shops, and finally settled on Stan's on Kingsway.
$1,900 for complete rebuild, and was very happy with price and servicing.
I plan to take my car there, when I need to.

I don't mind if you want to look at my NA spec car for comparisons.

I think you got a great deal! - looking forward to eventually meeting you and seeing your car.

 

[valvfloat]

including the re&re...?!?

 

[T-500]

Yep.


Includes re&re. Sounds like a deal to me.

I should contact this fellow and see how things are, six months later.

 

[195910]

i went in knowing the risks involved and that there were likely to be a few surprises...

"Few surprises" applies to thing like a squeak here, rattle here, bearings, radio not working. But does not apply to Fraud and failure of the second most major component in a vehicle.

i just hope it is not a odometer rollback...i haven't any evidence at this point other than a replaced autobox...many, many other components show little wear and appear appropriate for the mileage...

plus the fact it simply doesn't make sense to take the risks of rolling back an odometer if you're selling it for below market...to my thinking it only makes sense if one is taking a high miler, doing the deed, and then asking market value or more....otherwise, like i mentioned, why bother...?

after owning, driving and poking around the car at length....the conclusion i've come to is the car very likely has the original mileage, however i suspect it has spent much of its time in metro traffic crawling along and idling...this car many not have many miles, but i do believe it has quite a few HOURS...

Well. since you have a tranny from a W126, wouldn't it be wise to think that other parts came from a bunch of other cars?

Since you're a Merc Newbie it will be hard for you to figure if the mileage is correct. For someone who never owned a real Merc before even a 400,000km salvage car would feel solid, when compared to a Rover maybe.

Its like fake Rolex watches, even if they make a perfect replika, they wouldn't sell it for the same price as the Rolex Agent.

Good Luck with the "Surprises".

 

[valvfloat]

You sound rather full of yourself...

I'm no idiot...the car is real...I may be new to the marque but certain not vehicles in general...

Someone replaced a tranny...you seem more concerned about it than I...move on sport...

 

[Glen]

Well, it's not like someone shoehorned in a GM trans with a homemade adapter plate. I don't think you can condemn the whole car simply because it has an alternate transmission installed.

 

[T-500]

VIN should be enough to tell if it's real. JDM spec is different.

We have lots of high-end JDM cars of that vintage, coming in here because of import tax rates.

My own low-mileage car, 43K miles at purchase, was diagnosed with tranny problems from sitting too long and the wrong fluid being used.

The rest of the car might well be fine.

'Float: E-mailed you specifics on repair shop.

 

[gerryvz]

Well, it's not like someone shoehorned in a GM trans with a homemade adapter plate. I don't think you can condemn the whole car simply because it has an alternate transmission installed.

+1. Amen.

 

[valvfloat]

e420 valve body installed today, which works like a charm on the .323...

first gear start is where it is at, not to mention the new VB seems to have alleviated some of my transmission's misbehavior...shifts are snappy, 2-3 shift flare is gone, and the P/N to D delay is no longer...

on deck:
a gvz and 2phast hybrid exhaust...ie a 3" in/out dynamax super turbo muffler fed by a magnaflow 2x2.25" in/3" out cat...

 

[gsxr]

Excellent! Glad to hear it worked out well. The exhaust mods will make the car sound better (IMO) and may free up a few ponies along the way, while possibly shedding a few pounds too!

 

[T-500]

on deck:
a gvz and 2phast hybrid exhaust...ie a 3" in/out dynamax super turbo muffler fed by a magnaflow 2x2.25" in/3" out cat...

good to hear it's all coming together.

Do you have a good exhaust shop in mind? I'm wanting to do the 2phast, 2 into 1 Cat, and resonator delete.

 

[valvfloat]

My indy, www.blitzkriegautowerks.com, does vw, audi, porsche mainly...but they also are accomplished fabricators, race car builders and engineers....Bob can fab up pretty much anything you dream up...

 

[T-500]

My indy, http://www.blitzkriegautowerks.com, does vw, audi, porsche mainly...but they also are accomplished fabricators, race car builders and engineers....Bob can fab up pretty much anything you dream up...

Thanks, 'Float.

That's close to work. I'll try and stop in for an estimate.