Finally got a regular 4 speed for my 71 roadrunner.

[jimt1971rr]

I have had this car as a project since 2008. When I finally got it to move on it's own power, and more importantly stop, I discovered that the 4 speed in it is an overdrive unit. Since my goal it not to really take it on long road trips I have been wanting to get a regular 4 speed for it for quite some time but I couldn't afford the high prices being asked. Last week I found a C.L. ad in Burbank CA. for a 71 unit for only $575 with the B/E design. I have my shifter in the "E" position so I was able to pick it up. Now comes the task of the switch over from one to the other. I should only need to put an adaptor ring into the bell housing for the smaller bearing retainer.

Anyone have any other things I should look at to make this go as smoothly as possible?

~

 

[Ron 73]

If it had the A-833 in it with just a overdrive, you shouldn't need anything to put another in it, its strange you have the shifter in the E-body position in a B-body car, ive never seen that.. or im forgetting something, oh boy and the day is starting.. Good luck with it!

 

[jimt1971rr]

The guy I bought it from was thinking center console. It did come with one set up for an auto, but it was in such bad shape, broken, that I just tossed it. He had already set up the hump in the rear position. Besides, I really like it this way.

 

[dpstark2]

You won't know for sure until you get it apart or look in the bellhousing, but if it's a true OD transmission that hasn't been modified, and you want to use the same bellhousing, you will need a ring to reduce opening from the large bearing OD to the size of your new trans- likely the small bearing 23 spline type. I don't know if anyone makes these. 18-spline to 23-spline reducers are available. A company like Brewers or Passon may have what you need.

Beyond that, if you have OD-specific shift linkage, you may need a new 3-4 rod and lever. The OD linkage probably has a big offset on the 3-4 lever that attaches to the case cover. This may or may not work when flipped upside down (back to the standard location). Even if it does "work" it may not allow for proper adjustment.

This page http://www.slantsix.org/articles/4-speeds/ODA833fourspeed1.htm has good info, even if it's for a slant 6. See the 3rd pic down on the right.

 

[jimt1971rr]

It's funny you mentioned the 3-4 shift rod. I had to custom make one for the OD unit to get it to shift properly. I still have the original standard design in the trunk so I am good there. As far as the size adaptor, I saw it listed on Passons site for $40. thanks.

 

[YY1]

BB or SB?

I may have an SB bell to trade if you're interested

 

[jimt1971rr]

Big Block. It did also come with a 2892513 10 1/2" B.B. bell housing but I don't want to have to replace the flywheel et. al. in order to use it. Besides, I have buyer for the bell housing that it came with.

I did find something else interesting about it. History! I was told it came out of a 71 cuda that was used in one of the Fast N Furious movies. They wanted automatics in the movie cars. But the stamp on the transmission says it was installed in a car built in Winsor. "R" plant. To my knowledge, E bodies weren't built in Winsor in 71. Am I wrong?

Curious!

 

[jimt1971rr]

I finally got a chance to get it apart and found that the bell housing is a 2892262 which is an 11" from a 68 big block, according to Brewer's web site. I already knew it was an 11" which is why I didn't want to swap to the one in came with. The good news is that both have the 4.8" bearing retainer so no modification is necessary. I am curious, however, why the od trans has the 4.8 instead of the 5.125. I'll have to take a look into that. Now I need to put it back together, lube up everything, and give it a try.

 

[73JF1Bird]

Good luck.

 

[jimt1971rr]

Finally got it in and operational. Only problem I ran into was that reverse didn't want to engage. Had to do a little machining because it was hitting the 1-2 shift lever internally. Now it works just great.

 

[73JF1Bird]

I love it when a plan comes together! Congratulations!