Need a bellhousing

[koosh]

Ive found a good deal on an A833 4 speed overdrive transmission….. going in a big block 68 Charger…..but am now finding out the correct fit bell housing has to be from 1975 and up big block vehicle? Is this correct? If so, not much luck finding one so far…

 

[R413]

There is no BB that came with an OD 4 speed. Get ahold of Brewers for the answer to this riddle.

 

[#41]

Ive found a good deal on an A833 4 speed overdrive transmission….. going in a big block 68 Charger…..but am now finding out the correct fit bell housing has to be from 1975 and up big block vehicle? Is this correct? If so, not much luck finding one so far…

I don't believe they exist. If so, it's news to me. Lakewood has a scattershield you can buy (expensive), or you can machine the retainer on the front of the trans or the opening in a stock bell to allow them to mate up.

 

[toolmanmike]

X2 for Brewer Performance.

 

[R/T Boy 67]

If your bellhousing is a 68 big block, then just swap the bearing retainer on the trans to fit your housing.

 

[koosh]

If your bellhousing is a 68 big block, then just swap the bearing retainer on the trans to fit your housing.

The charger “ i hope to buy “ is 68 with 440 and A/T….where do i get a bearing retainer that would fit an older than 1975 bell housing?

 

[koosh]

I don't believe they exist. If so, it's news to me. Lakewood has a scattershield you can buy (expensive), or you can machine the retainer on the front of the trans or the opening in a stock bell to allow them to mate up.

What is the difference in the opening of the 2 bell housings? Im finding the “older” bell housings are easier to find?

 

[koosh]

Should i not pursue an A833 overdrive? Are they not preferred?

 

[R/T Boy 67]

If your bellhousing is stock it will have a 4.80" hole. You can turn your transmission retainer down to that size, or you can buy a 4.80" retainer for your trans. You need to know the retainer bolt pattern to get the proper one. The bolt patterns are 4.16 for 308 bearing or 3.70 for 307 bearing. OD transmissions could be either one.

 

[koosh]

If your bellhousing is stock it will have a 4.80" hole. You can turn your transmission retainer down to that size, or you can buy a 4.80" retainer for your trans. You need to know the retainer bolt pattern to get the proper one. The bolt patterns are 4.16 for 308 bearing or 3.70 for 307 bearing. OD transmissions could be either one.

I don’t have a bell housing because the car currently has a/t

 

[MCODECUDA]

As it’s been said before Contact Brewers! I’m not sure that there is an easy fix to your dilemma unless there is one from a pickup that you could use.

 

[R/T Boy 67]

Look for a 68 up big block bellhousing, they have the 4.80" hole, and then any 307 or 308 bearing trans. will fit with the proper retainer. 67 down will only fit 307 bearing retainers. There is no factory big block bellhousing that has the 5.125" hole for the OD trans, which is why a retainer modification or swap is required. The OD trans is not known for strength or favourable ratios. The cast iron case ones are stronger and would probably stand up OK if you took it easy.

 

[moparmarks]

Here is the one that doesn't exist. Is for a truck so uses the 143T wheel. Really hard to find. As stated before they never used the 833OD behind the BB but they must have thought about it.

 

[padam]

That OD trans is really not a performance piece. The ratios are really wide, it was meant for economy cars.

 

[koosh]

Ok folks…. It appears the 4 speed OD is not favorable…. learn something new everyday. Thanks for alls input!!!

 

[PurpleBeeper]

What is the difference in the opening of the 2 bell housings? Im finding the “older” bell housings are easier to find?

In simple terms..... for bellhousings, there is a big hole or a small hole. For A833's, there's a big front bearing and a small front bearing. The bearings can be swapped. The hole size and bearing size must match.
The factory overdrives had aluminum cases and I don't think they're super strong. You can probably run it with a stock 440, but I'm not sure if you plan to make more horsepower. Brewer's Performance is definitely a good place to call and ask.

 

[Runner 68]

Agree with everything above. Call Brewers or Passon. I prefer Passon these days as Brewers has been tripped up since COVID for some reason.
Jamie at Passon is a "Gitter Done" type of guy to work with. Stick with a straight A833 4 speed. The ODs are more hype than they're worth.

Passon recently built a new 18 spline 833 for me in a month. Brewers was a year out.

 

[59pwrwgn]

This is an easy swap. Put the front bearing retainer in a lathe and turn it down to 4.80.
First gear is 3.09 and second is 1.67. Some don't like the rpm drop from first to second. Vs 2.65 to 1.92 of say a 68 trans.
My old V6 Dakota had an ax15 with 3.83 first and 2.33 second. Drove just fine for 17 years.
The aluminum cases aren't bushed for the counter shaft may give you problems if the case wears.

 

[koosh]

Thanks again everyone