833 overdrive Question

[sawdoff]

There is an overdrive tranny local that i can pick up cheap like $80. It is believed to come out of an 80 model truck. No other info yet. I didnt want to go look at it (local as in 50 mile radius) until i had some opinions. I have pretty much everything to change my 70 satellite to a 4 speed but like the idea of an overdrive. What cha think?

 

[696pack]

They are NOT for a performance car. Bad gear spread and a weak trans that will not take a lot of power. They were designed for economy not HP.

 

[brandon64]

If it has a cast iron case and not an aluminum case it should be strong enough ( Most o/d's were aluminum) as long as you are easy on it in overdrive. 2nd to 3rd shift is really the only shift that sucks. ( It's like shifting from 2nd to 4th on a non o/d 833) You will have a hard time finding a bellhousing that accepts the large bearing retainer on the o/d unit.

 

[Meep-Meep]

I heard of people having good luck with them but then again some tear them up bad. As mentioned, these are geared for economy so you better have a very flat torque curve. For $80.00, assuming it's not already a piece of crap, I'd throw it in and see if it get's your $80.00 back through gas savings. Then when it fails get a Passon gear set.

 

[66 coronet]

I saw that listed also was wondering how it would hold up behind my 413.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Highly dependent on your driving habits. Only time will tell.

 

[Meep-Meep]

I should add that 1st - 3rd are probably fine, but 4th is the OD gear and the power flow is through the cluster gear (3rd gear position on a regular tranny) so more strain is put on the internals during that long freeway haul. A heavy car with tall gears and the problem gets worse.