A-230 to A-833

[WisconsinDodgeBoy]

Hello Gentlemen,
I currently have a 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger 318 3spd A-230. My future plans have me putting a 4spd and a 340 in it. I already have the 340 and am currently working on getting the 4spd. But I have some questions to go along with that. The transmission i will be getting came out of a 1969 Dart Swinger A-833.
1. Will the Bellhousing from the A-230 also be able to be used for the A-833? or will I need to buy one for the 4spd?
2. is there any linkages that I will be able to reuse from the A-230 for the A-833?
3. Is there any other things I will have to buy or reuse for this swap?
4. Any advice from any of you doing the same swap?

The plan is getting the 4spd rebuilt, Then the 340, then putting the two together to put into my '72. Id rather have all pieces of the puzzle before I start this mess.
Thank you! I look forward to your Advice and input!

 

[makaibob]

Hello Gentlemen,
I currently have a 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger 318 3spd A-230. My future plans have me putting a 4spd and a 340 in it. I already have the 340 and am currently working on getting the 4spd. But I have some questions to go along with that. The transmission i will be getting came out of a 1969 Dart Swinger A-833.
1. Will the Bellhousing from the A-230 also be able to be used for the A-833? or will I need to buy one for the 4spd?
2. is there any linkages that I will be able to reuse from the A-230 for the A-833?
3. Is there any other things I will have to buy or reuse for this swap?
4. Any advice from any of you doing the same swap?

The plan is getting the 4spd rebuilt, Then the 340, then putting the two together to put into my '72. Id rather have all pieces of the puzzle before I start this mess.
Thank you! I look forward to your Advice and input!

I did something similar, though not exactly the same. I bought my 72 Duster 340 with the A-230 HD 3 speed (it was an error on my part, since I thought I might get a break on car insurance - wrong), and switched to an 833 4-speed. In my particular case, I also swapped the bellhousing to a lakewood blow shield, with block plate for my car. I also upgraded to a Mr Gasket V-gate shifter at the same time. I used the 4-speed out of a 383 Dart (it was wrecked, a shame 'cause I'd like to have that one now :^) ) Lakewood provided a spacer ring to accommodate 833s with a small input shaft bearing support, so depending on what year/application your 833 is from, you may or may not need it. I've not checked, but I'd bet that Lakewood still offers the spacer ring. Brewers Performance lists the following (BTW, I was surprised to see that Lakewood has apparently discontinued the small block bellhousing itself) for $29.95.


BRA0605 BEARING RETAINER ADAPTER RING 4.354 RETAINER TO 4.807 BELLHOUSING

Details

Bearing retainer adapter ring, adapts 4.354" diameter transmission bearing retainer to fit 4.807" large hole bellhousings.

Other than that, just be sure the 833 is from an A body (I believe some E-body 833s have both shifter mounts). I used a driveshaft employing 7290 U-joints (my application needed the additional strength). I't a fairly straight-forward swap, but nothing from the A230 transfers (shifter, linkage etc) that I recall.

Good luck

 

[Dartnut]

First off, welcome to FABO!
To be basic about this, you are in luck if the car is complete and original.
I take it that it is a factory floor shift car as well.
Imagine unbolting the current transmission (230) and anything that attaches to it like the drive shaft, speedo cable, rear mount, and shifter handle.
Drop the remainder of the transmission assembly out of the car.
Install 4 speed into car reusing the 4 bolts that attach the transmission to the bellhousing, reinstall rear mount assembly (it's a direct bolt in), reinstall drive shaft and speedo cable, reconnect the neutral safety switch, add the 4 speed specific shifter, rods, levers, and handle.
And that's all there is to it.
Things that can be reused from the 230 in the 833 are the bolts, rear crossmember and mount, drive shaft, neutral safety switch,floor shift boot with the floor hump, and speedo gear. The linkages and shifter are different.
All the rest of the stuff from the bell housing, clutch and linkage up to the foot pedal is the same or will work.
If you want to get picky about it, the 340 cars had a heavier duty clutch than the 318, and the over center spring in the upper pedal linkage under the dash is heavier, but yours will work. Even the flywheel is the same.

One question i would like to ask you is why are you doing the swap?
I know the 4 speed is better and stronger with better gear ratios etc., but the 230 was available behind the 340 so it can't be all that weak.
I had one in a '71 Demon back in the day and i really liked it.
And it sure took a lot of my abuse, and never let me down..........lol

 

[WisconsinDodgeBoy]

I did something similar, though not exactly the same. I bought my 72 Duster 340 with the A-230 HD 3 speed (it was an error on my part, since I thought I might get a break on car insurance - wrong), and switched to an 833 4-speed. In my particular case, I also swapped the bellhousing to a lakewood blow shield, with block plate for my car. I also upgraded to a Mr Gasket V-gate shifter at the same time. I used the 4-speed out of a 383 Dart (it was wrecked, a shame 'cause I'd like to have that one now :^) ) Lakewood provided a spacer ring to accommodate 833s with a small input shaft bearing support, so depending on what year/application your 833 is from, you may or may not need it. I've not checked, but I'd bet that Lakewood still offers the spacer ring. Brewers Performance lists the following (BTW, I was surprised to see that Lakewood has apparently discontinued the small block bellhousing itself) for $29.95.


BRA0605 BEARING RETAINER ADAPTER RING 4.354 RETAINER TO 4.807 BELLHOUSING

Details

Bearing retainer adapter ring, adapts 4.354" diameter transmission bearing retainer to fit 4.807" large hole bellhousings.

Other than that, just be sure the 833 is from an A body (I believe some E-body 833s have both shifter mounts). I used a driveshaft employing 7290 U-joints (my application needed the additional strength). I't a fairly straight-forward swap, but nothing from the A230 transfers (shifter, linkage etc) that I recall.

Good luck

Yes it is from a A body. and yes I feel you a 383 would be perfect! the Mopar Red Headed step engine. haha thanks for your input!

 

[WisconsinDodgeBoy]

First off, welcome to FABO!
To be basic about this, you are in luck if the car is complete and original.
I take it that it is a factory floor shift car as well.
Imagine unbolting the current transmission (230) and anything that attaches to it like the drive shaft, speedo cable, rear mount, and shifter handle.
Drop the remainder of the transmission assembly out of the car.
Install 4 speed into car reusing the 4 bolts that attach the transmission to the bellhousing, reinstall rear mount assembly (it's a direct bolt in), reinstall drive shaft and speedo cable, reconnect the neutral safety switch, add the 4 speed specific shifter, rods, levers, and handle.
And that's all there is to it.
Things that can be reused from the 230 in the 833 are the bolts, rear crossmember and mount, drive shaft, neutral safety switch,floor shift boot with the floor hump, and speedo gear. The linkages and shifter are different.
All the rest of the stuff from the bell housing, clutch and linkage up to the foot pedal is the same or will work.
If you want to get picky about it, the 340 cars had a heavier duty clutch than the 318, and the over center spring in the upper pedal linkage under the dash is heavier, but yours will work. Even the flywheel is the same.

One question i would like to ask you is why are you doing the swap?
I know the 4 speed is better and stronger with better gear ratios etc., but the 230 was available behind the 340 so it can't be all that weak.
I had one in a '71 Demon back in the day and i really liked it.
And it sure took a lot of my abuse, and never let me down..........lol

My 72 is a complete car with, the floor shifter yes! Honestly I think I would go ahead and replace the clutch just so I don't have to dick with it you know? the reason I'm doing the swap is I want the extra gear and well... it'll be a 340 with a 4 and behind it... haha plus it gives me an excuse to get a Hurst pistol grip shifter haha

 

[Dartnut]

Looks like you;re well on your way then!
Good luck with the installation, yeah, a new clutch is always a good idea.