A friend's brother has an '85 300D from California with 240k miles and
an apparently toasted transmission. I know 1985 was an odd year for the
300D/SD and even wierder for those models sold in the California
Republic. It is my understanding that Federal-spec '85s used the good
old 722.3 transmission but with a different torque convertor and other
bits, while the CA models used a 722.4 trans. Am I right so far?
I've also heard that an earlier transmission won't work with an '85
engine, but that the '85 transmission will work with an earlier engine.
So there are a few interchangability issues at the end of 123
production. Now enter the CA factor - must the tranny in a CA '85 be
replaced with same, or will a standard '85 unit work? Or maybe even an
earlier unit?
The car seems to be in good shape but while he likes it, the owner has
several other cars and just isn't sufficiently devoted to it to invest
several grand in a new transmission. He would consider a known good
used transmission, if he can find one that will work. "Otherwise he'll
probably just scrap it." And I won't let that happen, not to those
pristine rockers and wheel arches.
Thanks,
Tom
'82 300D - Rust never sleeps
