4 Speed tranny questions

[GoMangoBoys]

I bought a 4 speed at the Fall Carlisle On Friday.   I have several questions.
1.  I think it is an overdrive tranny.  I thought this when I saw the size of what should be the gears for 3rd.  I shifted it into this gear and turned the input shaft.  The output turned about 1.3 turns.  This would be correct for a 0.73 output ratio overdrive.

2.  The numbers stamped on the passenger side do not match any website that I find for decoding them.  There is a picture attached.

3.  The bosses for mounting the shifter near the end of the tail shaft have no holes drilled and tapped in them.  Is this normal?

I was on the fence about whether I wanted to get an overdrive transmission.  Now that I bought one, I think I am off the fence.  I does look like the gears are in good shape. I plan to clean everything, replace all the bearings and put it back together.  Not too bad for a rebuild I think.

Thank you.

[Cuda Cody]

Pie date wheels are saying it was cast in 1982 or 1983.

[Chryco Psycho]

1 - correct it is an OD trans , alum case & will have a 5.125 front brg retainer diameter , the Truck & van was .71 od , the A body used .73 with a different set of gears
2 - 82/83 would be correct
3 - The later Od trans had the rear bosses for the shifter but they were not tapped , it is not hard to drill the holes & tap them fro the shifter mount pad , you can get the Pad new from Passon or Brewers , use tapered allen head bolts & locktite to mount the plate .
The shift rods will also be available from the same suppliers , the front 3-4 shift lever is inverted on the shift plate on the trans , you will have to bend the shift rod slightly to clear the crossmember under the car
You can use a belhousing with the large 4.80" brg retainer hole & just have the front retainer milled down to 4.80" to fit
A driveline should be able to get a rebuild kit for it for around $170 this will include new brgs , syncros & gaskets , they can be tricky to assemble as you have to drop the counter shafy into the bottom of the trans then install the mainshaft & tailhousing assy upside down then lift the countershaft or as I do it drop the counter shaft into place with the whole trans upsidedown into place then slide in the countershaft pin & last rotate the tailhousing 180* & bolt it up .

[RUNCHARGER]

I think you're running a big block. Build it with a nice fat torque curve and a set of 3.91 gears. It'll work quite well.

[gzig5]

I've got one of those set aside for when the day comes.  I can hardly wait. It came with a 71 vintage bell housing that I think was opened up for the 5.125" bearing retainer.  If I had my druthers, I'd have turned the bearing holder down to fit the bell housing. I also fell into a stock '70 small block bell housing for $50 so I am covered either way if I want to go with a standard A833. I haven't opened it up yet but I was told it's in A OK shape, hopefully will look as good as yours. 
I've got 3.55 gears now and I think I might go with the 3.91s with the OD trans.  On the other hand, if I stroke the 340 to 416 or replace with a 408, I may keep the 3.55s because 450+ lb ft of torque will get the car moving just fine without steep rear gears.  Also need to decide on stock clutch actuation or hydraulic throwout bearing, which is where I am leaning.

[Chryco Psycho]

I prefer the hyd system but not cheap

[gzig5]

I've had a bit of luck scrounging the parts and I think I'm only in a bit over $400 for the trans, shifter and rods, bellhousing with fork, TO bearing, flywheel, and usable three-finger clutch.  I need the pistol grip handle, clutch pedal conversion, and either mechanical linkage or hydraulic.  I've got a bit of room to splurge on a hydraulic unit which will be easier to make work with the headers.   If I can borrow a pistol grip to trace a copy of, I have a crazy idea to cut one out of SS bar stock, forge the shape, weld/shape the bolsters and carve the grips from some really nice walnut I have left over from a rifle stock project.  Got to have something to do inside during the winter, right??

[edison1970]

The only draw back to the od trans was the aluminum case. It was common that the front bearing would get loose and spin causing a loud squeling. You can drill a hole in the front bearing retainer a put a set screw in to ensure that it doesn't do that.

[Chryco Psycho]

I've had a bit of luck scrounging the parts and I think I'm only in a bit over $400 for the trans, shifter and rods, bellhousing with fork, TO bearing, flywheel, and usable three-finger clutch.  I need the pistol grip handle, clutch pedal conversion, and either mechanical linkage or hydraulic.  I've got a bit of room to splurge on a hydraulic unit which will be easier to make work with the headers.   If I can borrow a pistol grip to trace a copy of, I have a crazy idea to cut one out of SS bar stock, forge the shape, weld/shape the bolsters and carve the grips from some really nice walnut I have left over from a rifle stock project.  Got to have something to do inside during the winter, right??

Sounds like a great plan to build your own Pistol Grip !

[GoMangoBoys]

Since this is the OD tranny, what Hurst shifter do I need?

[Chryco Psycho]

The normal Hurst E body shifter & rods will work fine , I prefer the 70 T/A shift levers as they have 2 holes & you can move the rods closer to the pivots & shorten the throw

[gzig5]

I've had a bit of luck scrounging the parts and I think I'm only in a bit over $400 for the trans, shifter and rods, bellhousing with fork, TO bearing, flywheel, and usable three-finger clutch.  I need the pistol grip handle, clutch pedal conversion, and either mechanical linkage or hydraulic.  I've got a bit of room to splurge on a hydraulic unit which will be easier to make work with the headers.   If I can borrow a pistol grip to trace a copy of, I have a crazy idea to cut one out of SS bar stock, forge the shape, weld/shape the bolsters and carve the grips from some really nice walnut I have left over from a rifle stock project.  Got to have something to do inside during the winter, right??

Sounds like a great plan to build your own Pistol Grip !

I'm a glutton for punishment.

I wasn't aware of the special shifter for the TA.  Happen to have a pic?  Quick search came up empty.  That might be interesting to play with to adjust the feel/throw of the shifter.

[RUNCHARGER]

The tabs have 2 holes in them for the rods to go into. One hole is in the normal place and the other hole is closer resulting in less throw. It's a great mod.

[Chryco Psycho]

The shifter is the same , only the shift levers on the side of the trans differ as Sheldon described

[dodj]

The normal Hurst E body shifter & rods will work fine , I prefer the 70 T/A shift levers as they have 2 holes & you can move the rods closer to the pivots & shorten the throw

The tabs have 2 holes in them for the rods to go into. One hole is in the normal place and the other hole is closer resulting in less throw. It's a great mod.

Learned something new this morning.