a833 into a 73 with a 383??

[73-charger-383]

what would it take to get this transmission to bolt up and work behide the 383 in my charger?  Right now, it's got an automatic, but i'm not worried about the clutch pedal setup and stuff..........more about the bellhousing and just the feasibility of the physical aspect of it and if it's possible....thanks guys

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/mopar-dodge-plymouth-833-4-speed-o-d-aluminum-w-shifter_W0QQitemZ8050953582QQcategoryZ33733QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[adauto]

Can be done, but changes(alterations) and money(the expense and locating of parts) often complicate the day!

[Troy]

Weren't they available with a 4-speed??? I can't imagine why it wouldn't fit. However... that particular transmission seems to have the wrong tailshaft. It's also an overdrive - is that what you want?

Troy

[tecmopar]

Troy is correct, that trans is an aluminum overdrive unit from a Volare or Aspen and has the short A body tailshaft which is not right for your car.

[73-charger-383]

yeah, i was looking for an overdrive unit that would would...........is there any way to get around that tailshaft question?/  what kind of overdrive manual will hook up to a bb and fit in a 73??

[Troy]

I'll have to dig up my information again but I believe they stuck the correct ones in the trucks. I remember something about the van transmissions being harder to make work for some reason. The later year long tailshafts will have two shifter mounting pads. You could swap tailshafts but that's a lot of work for transmissions that are already relatively cheap. Just buy the right one the first time. The OD case has the same dimensions as the earlier cases except the front bearing retainer is larger. You'll have to machine the bellhousing or the retainer to get it to work with a BB bellhousing. I thought that you could buy a scattershield that would bolt right in but I don't have any numbers for it. Summit would have it most likely. Honestly, finding and fitting the trans itself will probably be the easiest part of the swap.

Troy

[694spdRT]

The 833OD van transmission is the same as the truck. I bought one and it is going in the '72 Challenger. The E body uses the same setup as the 71-74 B body. You need to use the rear mount and the correct shifter mounting pad(available repo) to work in you car or the shifter will be too far forward. You will also need the correct factory shifter rods and then do some minor mods for clearance because the 3-4 shift lever is flipped on the tranny to make the overdrive work.

Like previously mentioned for it to work with a big block you will need to get the retainer turned down to the big block bellhousing retainer diameter. The other option if you don't have a machine shop close by is the buy the correct retainer. I checked and with my discount they are around $60 at my local Dodge dealership. 

The other things needed are the 4 speed floor hump, z-bar frame mount, big block z bar, z bar kit, clutch adjustment kit, clutch rod, and clutch pedals. All of these are available as reproductions.

You will need to get the correct bellhousing and flywheel combination as well. The 70-up aluminum big block bellhousing used the 130 tooth flywheel and the scalloped 10.95" clutch setup. The 69 and earlier cast iron bellhousing use the 146 tooth flywheel and a true 11" clutch.

Here is a picture of the correct tailshaft 833OD.

[73-charger-383]

wow....that's alot more than i anticipated.............do you guys think it would be easier just to get a gear vendors overdrive unit??

[694spdRT]

Converting to a 4 speed is not that hard but, by the time you are done it will easily cost you around $2,000 in parts unless you are lucky enough to score the parts in a salvage yard possibly. The swap is well worth it to me though. 

[Troy]

As I said, the trans is the easy part...

It's not cheap no matter how you do it but I still think it's cheaper then a GV or Keisler (I know it's cheaper than Keisler by a long shot if you don't need an 18 spline trans). Do the 3rd gen cars use the same console? That would save a bunch too. I'm scared to add up the cost of my various combos. I think the later b-bodies used the e-body pedals so getting a set used is $$$. The repros are nice and the price is probably less than restoring originals. I almost forgot about the levers being flipped for 3-4 on the OD. The smaller clutch/flywheel combo is lighter, cheaper, easier to find, and allows the engine to rev up a little faster. I think the smaller aluminum bellhousings are more expensive than the earlier iron ones but a scattershield takes care of that problem. Don't forget the wiring harnesses and switches.

Troy

[RallyeMike]

Lakewood Bellhousing for the OD 833 is #15335. I just bought one, but I don't recommend it for a street car. Although Lakewood said it was a bolt in using the stock fork, this is not true. The folk pivot is 3/8" longer from center line and the z-bar mounting location is different. I will have to shorten the Z-bar by 1" and modify a fork to fit. Unless you are driving hard enough to worry about a clutch/flywheel explosion, machine a stock bellhousing !

One other modification: If you do get truck/van tailshaft trans A833OD it needs to be drilled and tapped at the B/E shifter pad.

ALSO, the rear mount is for bucket seat cars. You can use the front shifter mount if you use the hump and shifter from a bench seat car. In this case, you could use an A833OD A/F -body trans likne the one in the ad if you are williing to go with a longer custom driveshaft.

694spdRT:  Looks like we are following similar paths. Here's mine. Just went through it about a month ago. Rebuilt the pedals this weekend. It all starts going in next weekend.





   

[TylerCharger69]

I used to have a 73 SE  with a 4 speed.....and...the pistol grip shifter.....as far as i remember....It was factory equipment.....I sold the car  because  it was a rust bucket  and i needed another body.....but as far as your question....it should fit!!!   as long as you have all the parts to make the transition....there should be no problems

[is_it_EVER_done?]

Don't forget that the 383 auto crankshaft is not drilled for a pilot bushing, so that will need to be dealt with also.

In my opinion, that transmission is far more trouble than it's worth since it is lacking many necessary items for installation. If you want a manual, look for a more complete kit, or if you only want OD, a 518 auto would be my personal choice.

[73-charger-383]

how much easier would it be to use a 518?? 

[is_it_EVER_done?]

In many ways it's harder since you would have to modify the floor hump for clearance, but in my opinion that's easier than trying to locate all the components that you will need to make a manual work.

If you have lots of time on your hands, you can find all the necessary parts for a manual conversion, but most of the swap meets treat the 4-speed parts as though they are Gold! You can get good deals, but it takes considerable time.

I bit the bullet and went with the Keisler conversion for my Charger, but at $5,000+ it's not for everyone, however I am going with a 518 in my Road Runner. I only wish that the Gear Vendors unit had any real RPM reduction, as I would go with it, but for the minimal reduction that it offers, I wouldn't bother with the conversion if they gave me the unit for free.

Here is a couple of links for 518 trans info. Considering that you get a deep overdrive, and lock-up converter, the prices are reasonable (in my opinion). The only thing that galls me is the price of the adapter, however, the last link is what I plan on using (JW ultrabell). Much cheaper, and makes for an easier install (I hope).

If you want a manual, try to find a complete kit. If you have everything its not to bad a job. It's finding all the parts that is the most work.

http://www.transmissionsone.com/

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/alto_3.htm

http://www.racewithjw.com/catalog.html

[694spdRT]

With the possible exception of the bellhousing all of the 4 speed conversion parts are available aftermarket so locating them is not nearly as hard as it once was.

[73-charger-383]

i rounded up two four speeds today...they want 200$ for the one (it needs a little work and a bellhousing), and 400 for the other....it's supposedly in great shape.................now if i can just convince my wife...........

[TylerCharger69]

Well...lol...that's the hardest part right there...Good Luck!!!

[Troy]

With the possible exception of the bellhousing all of the 4 speed conversion parts are available aftermarket so locating them is not nearly as hard as it once was.

I've posted prices in the past from Passon and Brewer's both. Just pick up the phone, dial, order kit, wait for the delivery of your complete 4-speed conversion kit. Of course, that only works if money is no object. I'm not hacking up my trans tunnel to install an automatic though.

Troy

[73-charger-383]

thanks for all the help guys, i'll let you know how it turns out