A-833 4-Speed Questions?

[filmsurgeon]

Howdy Members,

I have a 23 spline A-833 for my 600HP SB (414 cid) with 3.55 gears in 8.75 rear end (I hope the tranny can handle the HP).  Any thoughts?  The motor is currently in final build, but prior to changes it was a 382 cid SB (360 original block, bored .060 over w/3.69 stroke).  I did very little driving of the car after I purchased it from previous owner in 06/06.  What I did notice during those short deives was that at a certain RPM range in ALL gears, I felt (and could hear) a very fast and noisy vibration in the shifter handle.  I have been told that this is normal for these cars with this tranny.  Does anyone know if this is normal, and if not what might be the issue.  The shifter mechanism looks quite new.  Also, I may need to install a new speedometer pinion gear.  Don't know which one is in the tranny now (will find out next week when the tranny is checked out).  According to speedometer pinion gear charts, I need a 31 tooth (green) pinion gear to get the correct speedometer readings (30" tires w/3.55 ring gear).  If I need to change this, does anyone know where to get one and which kind to get (steel or plastic)?  Other question ..... What gear ratios would be best for my set-up?  I know the A-833 trans came with different ratios depending on engine (and year?).

[Chryco Psycho]

Mopar still has all the different speedo pinions available, all are plastic 
there were different ratios in different applications , most regular 833s had similar ratios , the 18 spline is obviously better / stronger but anny 833 will take 600 HP in my experience , the different ratio boxes are basically 2 the 75 318 had a 3.09 first gear instead of 2.66ish with 1:1 4 th & the later OD version with 3.09 1st & .71 4th which is very wide ratio but  I prefer for highway use
there should not be a vibration in the shift handle, some ODs did vibrate a bit more , you could have bad thrust washers , brgs or a bent shift fork or just a worn syncro unit causing porblems ,Jamie at Passon performance can help with diagnosis & parts if needed 

[heminut]

If the vibration occurs at the same RPM in all gears it could also be a driveshaft problem.

[chevyconvert]

  What I did notice during those short drives was that at a certain RPM range in ALL gears, I felt (and could hear) a very fast and noisy vibration in the shifter handle.  I have been told that this is normal for these cars with this tranny.  Does anyone know if this is normal, and if not what might be the issue.  The shifter mechanism looks quite new.  

Sounds exactly like mine...annoying as hell. Fast and noisey is an accurate discription.
I just keep one hand on it most of the time to stop the rattle, but that's a pain.

[ShelbyDogg]

Start with the driveshaft. Mine rattled like hell till I decided to narrow it down so it didn't rattle way past 100 mph.

[filmsurgeon]

Thanks to all for the feedback.  I'll reply back next week after my tranny guy checks out the A-833.  BTW, I had the driveshaft balanced and new U-joints installed and still get the fast noisy vibration.

[Chryco Psycho]

rebuilding the shifter & packing it with grease can help

[chevyconvert]

Chryco..I have not seen a thread or how-to on rebuilding/packing the shifter.
Do you know of one so I can see how invoved it is?

[Chryco Psycho]

the factory service manual or Hurst website could have some info on doing it , it is relatively simple to disassemble it clean the pieces , lay it all out on order clean the parts & pack it with std brg grease

[filmsurgeon]

Neither the factory service manual or the Hurst website contain info on rebuild/packing the shifter.  The Hurst website does say that the shifters are pre-lubricated at the factory.  My shifter looks almost new.  So I don't think rebuild and/or grease packing would make a difference, but I'll look into it.  Thanks,  Joe

[Chryco Psycho]

Neither the factory service manual or the Hurst website contain info on rebuild/packing the shifter.  The Hurst website does say that the shifters are pre-lubricated at the factory.  My shifter looks almost new.  So I don't think rebuild and/or grease packing would make a difference, but I'll look into it.  Thanks,  Joe

[Chryco Psycho]

I guess i need to take pix next time I rebuild one ,
 there is a small 7/16 nut to remove that holds on a plate that centers the handle & pivots side to side , the pry the body apart & remove the rear palte & slide out the top pivot tube , the upper bolt goes through the tube & the guts of the shifter will slide out of the body , then clean eack plate & lever & repack with grease being careful to keep each part in order & facing the same way ot came out , reassemble 

[chevyconvert]

to remove the shifter is it just a matter of console removal and then it's obvious?

[Chryco Psycho]

no , if yours has the slide in stick you need to use a feeler guage to release the stick , this can be done without removing the console or boot
 then go under the car & remove the 9/16 lower bolt & the upper 5/8 bolt & release the linkages & remove the shifter