rab could you be mor specific about the t18

Rab475 - I agree completely on the 616 being an easier fit. If I understand correctly, the stock 616 puts out 65 hp where the 617 has 125 hp which is why I'm working around all the problems associated with the front oil sump.

Based on your knowledge of Ford transmissions, could a T-5 be used same as the T-18?

Are you located in Cleveland, TN? If so, I looked at your wrangler when you had it for sale.

I agree I would like to know about the t5 also does any one know where to find actual specs on these like shaft length spline bearing housing od ect. I have found several bellhousings I am thinking of using the stock ford clutch setup because the mb one is big bucks

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any one find specs on t18

specs for t5
 

any one find specs on t18

IIRC, Rab475 said that the flywheel from a 4-speed 616 is a direct bolt-on to the 617 crank shaft and according to a knowledgable poster from superturbodiesel the OM617 will run fine with the OM616 flywheel.
Manual flywheel specs

I would think it would be a matter of fitting a pilot bushing to the 617 crank to accept the T-18 / T-5 trans shaft then cut and drill some steel plate to bolt the trans to the engine.

Can any flywheel of a large enough dimention not be drilled to accept the clutch / pressure plate of your choice? I recall reading somewhere that the MB clutch is a bit smaller than the typical ford / chevy models.

yea i will find out I will have flywheel and bellhousing coming and i think I found a tranny but it is under about 10ft of snow might be end of march before can find a good one

From what I've read the US did not receive many if not at all a manual Mercedes. In Europe it is very common to see manual trans. The 240d flywheel will work on the OM617 if you can find one here in the US.

I actually found a flywheel and a bell-housing the flywheel was in Michigan and the bell housing was in Florida the flywheels seem to be more plentiful than bell-housings flywheel 25+20 to ship bell-housing 88+35 to ship if you need flywheels go to car-part.com and I have a line on a transmissiont5 out of a s10

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you have to search for like a a 80 240d to find parts

any more updates?
thanks, Tom

Any update on this?