Problem: My radiator/transmission cooler cracked and fluids exchanged. ATF in the cooling system and coolant into transmission. From what I can seem to gather is that coolant destroys the bands and seals in the transmission. Quoted $2500 to rebuild by two sources, so I am looking to just find a donor car and swap. I found an AW 03-72L on Craiglist.
Question: Will the AW 03-72L swap into the 240 wagon WITHOUT modification?

The AW 03-72L should bolt right up. There are no electronics in these transmissions. so the only thing to adapt to your car is the kickdown cable. Make sure the fluid in the replacement trans is reasonably clean and red.

I had an AW 03-71L in my non-turbo 1994 940...not a big-selling car, but they should be out there in the JY's. The torque converter clutch engaged at about 45MPH, with the 940's 4.10 rear axle ratio, and RPM dropped about by 300. I believe the lockup function depends on output shaft speed, so you would see it occur at about 50MPH on a 240 (3.73 axle) if you used that trans.

As Giggabitten states, the "72" transmissions had internal differences in gearing and shift points but externally are identical to the 70/71.

And that is great advice to renew oil seals and rear bushing while the transmission is on your garage floor.
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Bob: Son's XC70, my 83 240, 89 745 (V8) and XC60. Also '77 MGB and some old motorcycles

I can not give you a definitive answer as I am not familiar with those exact models. However, I can tell you that I successfully swapped an AW-72L (from a 1990 744 GLE with B234F) into a 1992 745 to replace its AW-70. It has been problem free since the swap which was 22,000 miles ago.

The kickdown cables are different lengths and changing that is much easier before installing the transmission in the car.

I would replace the rear mail seal on the engine as well as the front and rear seal on the transmission. The rear bushing would never be easier to replace than with the transmission on the floor as well.

The converter locks up at about 50mph and I believe you will perhaps see an improvement in your gas mileage.

Good luck,
Randy

fyi, it is the clutch material...specifically the glue that holds it together...that kills the tranny with coolant contamination.

I cannot answer your specific question because I have not heard of that transmission but and AW70 or AW71 will swap without modification. These were used in the Northa American Market on almost all the 240, 740 and 940's sold. Early 240's used BW55's and a short run of ZF22's in early 740's. All red-block 760's used them as well but not sure on the and of the V6's.

Yes they were used by most of the models around my year, but I haven't found a car or transmission available in my area yet. Don't want to have to order one as the freight charges would cost as much as the trans.

The 03-72l will feel very different from your old 03-70. It was designed to compliment the twin cam B234 and will make your 240 "wind out" a bit more than you might feel comfortable with, most noticeably in first and second gears. The 72l has a modified govenor and valve body as well as different gearing than the 70 -71 models.

A decent AW 03-70 or AW 03-70l (or better yet the ever elusive turbo AW 03-71l) might be worth holding out for. The "l" stands for "lock up" torque converter, which magically de-slushes the slush box at speeds over 45 mph. Kinda feels like a fith gear when it "locks down". It supposedly gives better gas mileage at cruising speed as well.

These are common transmissions as they are found in many 7/940's. Try expanding your junkyard radius a slight bit - they will be there.