Hemi 4 speed and A-833 difference.

[SinstrMike]

I have a 68 b body with a 383 block punched to a 496 with an a-833 and it finally failed, I can get an 18 spline hemi 4 speed, is there much of a difference to swap from 23 spline to 18?
Thanks

 

[oldkimmer]

clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing. I’m not sure about the shifter but I believe they interchange. Kim

 

[sam dupont]

I put a 1970 18 spline in my 66 Charger (23). As above, except I needed the 1970 bell housing. Can't tell you exactly why, but remember my starter did not reach. The seller was peeved, demanding my '66 bell housing in exchange. Shifter fit with no issues.

 

[hunt2elk]

Shifters are the same, otherwise what Kim stated.

 

[R413]

Throw out bearing larger diameter on hemi.

Clutch disc spline count different on hemi/440 speed

Shifter same, swaps over.

Front bearing retainer diameter changes:
small on a 1967 and older all engines even hemi 4 sp
Small on 68 and up small block
Medium on 68 and up BB
Large on an overdrive 833

There are 10.5" and 11" flywheels so bellhousings change also.
1966-67 Hemi 4 speed all are 11"
1966-67 all other BB are 10.5"
1968-69 all BB & hemi were 11"
1970-72 all SB BB and hemi are 10.5"

Rear mount position changed in 1970 and they use the same crossmember as an automatic.

B body trans overall length same

273 and slant 6 are not on the table here. They can be oddball in different years.

This is a basic overview, there are more differences and I'm sure someone could shine in with some.

 

[4speed68rt]

Bearing retainer size might be bigger on the 18 spline. You cant put a big retainer one on a small or medium bell housing, but you can put a smaller one on a bigger hole bell housing with and adapter ring. Obviously the clutch disc will have to be changed to 18 spline. R413 covered it all, but we dont know if what you had in there was original. You might consider having your original transmission rebuilt by Brewers.

 

[R413]

Bearing retainer size on hemi 4 speeds
66-67 small
68-71 medium

 

[AR67GTX]

If your clutch is in good shape you can save some money just buying a new disc to match the spline difference. Pressure plate will work with either.

 

[gkent]

If your clutch is in good shape you can save some money just buying a new disc to match the spline difference. Pressure plate will work with either.

You'll need the throwout bearing too.

Otherwise, as said, if the clutch worked with your current power level, just swap the disc and throwout bearing.

 

[Dave6T4]

I think starter used with Hemi bellhousing is different than one for 383/440 piece. Direct drive.

 

[gkent]

Who cares ... he hasn't got a hemi !!

 

[Sinitro]

In my 70 RoadRunner, I swapped in an 18 spline A-833 replacing the OE 23 spline.
Requires matching clutch disk, pressure plate and throw-out bearing.
Dropped right in, no issues.

Just my $0.02...

 

[Dennis Weden]

Stop
Great time to go to a 5 speed—you will love the difference

 

[Sinitro]

Stop
Great time to go to a 5 speed—you will love the difference

If a Passon 5-speed was available, I would have bought it..
But did settle for the Passon Hemi OD, which has been just fine for my local cruises..
I did check out the Tremac but would have required too much tunnel surgery, besides not being compatible with my air-grabber..

Just my $0.02...

 

[1KoolBee]

Make sure your hemi input bearing retainer matches your bell housing, get an 18 spline disk that is same diameter as one you took out. If your pressure plate is still good, get it and the flywheel resurfaced or the new clutch will chatter your teeth out. Bolt it all in and go!

 

[MelroseMopar]

Come on nobody is even thinking it???

The major difference is 5 splines...

 

[RJRENTON]

I put a 1970 18 spline in my 66 Charger (23). As above, except I needed the 1970 bell housing. Can't tell you exactly why, but remember my starter did not reach. The seller was peeved, demanding my '66 bell housing in exchange. Shifter fit with no issues.

The 18 spline input shaft bearing retainer requires the bigger bell housing to accomodate the bearing housing O.D., as well as the required clutch parts....check pilot bushing fit as I believe there is different between the 18 spline and 23 spline transmission input shaft dimensions......just my opinion....
BOB RENTON

 

[Sinitro]

My experience was the Passon 18 spline OD transmission bolted right in my 70 RoadRunner that originally had a 23 spline A-833, no change in the bell housing was required.
I did replace the pressure plate & disk to an 18 spline, new throw-out bearing, added a roller pilot bearing and resurfaced the flywheel.

Just my $0.02...