how are the 833 overdrives???

dgc333 - the reason you are having traction problems (onther than tires) is the 3.09 first gear. It is significantely lower than the regular 3spds used in the early 70's behind 340s. As well the regular 4spd was a 2:66 first gear.

Saying the aluminum case is the weak link may be valid (or may not) and stems from some documentation is the old mopar chassis manual stating that this is a weak case. I think the real problem is that the countershaft is shorter and only engages half of the transmission case (the iron one has full engagement. An expansion plugs is used in the other part of the case presumably to reduce leakage. Having said all that I have not seen yet an OD case that is worn out.

Again IMHO, I would also like to state again that the spacing between gears is wide. A regular a-body 4spd is 2:66 1st gear and 1:1 for 4th. The OD unit is 3:09 1st gear and .73:1 4th gear. That is a huge difference. As I mentioned before my current driver has the OD 4spd and I really don't like it due to the gear spacing. The rpm drop is very noticable between gears, it seems like you have to rev it way up in every gear so it won't lug the engine in the next gear. It is definitely useable and drivable and is a good cheap way to have a car that has good acceleration and still have a car that can be driven on the highway. But it is far from perfect. If I could afford it a 5 speed would be the answer. Just ask anyone who has installed a 5spd, most are very happy with it and say that is the best modification for drivability they have done.