If you don’t mind, would you post the eBay link for the above described transmission, please?
I found one which I think you are referring to:
1964 - 1966 Mopar Dodge Plymouth 4 speed 833 Transmission Valiant Dart Cuda A833 | eBay
I just sold one exactly like this one. A great transmission, but it will need some major modifications before it will fit your car (driveshaft related). If it wasn’t for the driveshaft issue, I would give you thumbs up on it.
Don’t forget, 4-speeds are floor shifted, so a floor shifter and all of its linkage is needed, as well as a 4-speed floor hump is needed (as well as floor cut for the hump and welded into place).
The steering column is different – but that won’t matter too much if you don’t mind having the extra shifter handle in place.
All clutch components including bell housing is the same except for clutch disk (different spline) – but that is not hard to change.
On the gear ratio change. Generally the hard part is obtaining the parts (which appears to be easier now than it was a few years ago). Giving parts to a differential shop and having them do it might not be a bad idea for you.
I have done quite a few differential repairs and ratio changes, so I have the tools and know how to do it.
A good technician can change the gear set out in about 3 hours. Most newbie’s would take about 5 or more hours to make the change.
Parts needed is gear set, bearing kit (if any chance any fine metal is in oil, always change the bearings) and lube. Changing both rear wheel bearings is also highly recommended.
If current gear ratio is 2.7, then a 3.23 or 3.55 will fit fine. If you had a 2.2 or 2.4, then you would have problems with fitment.
One thing to consider is anytime a tire change is made or gear ratio is changed, the speedometer gear will also need to be changed to keep speedometer/odometer accurate.
A differential gear change would be needed if you want to increase available engine power (another way to say city gears vs. highway gears) due to mechanical advantage.
My ’86 has 2.2 gears in it and it is a dog. I brag that I can’t spin the tires on ice with it. Well actually I can, but have to work it to do so.
My ’77 wagon has the exact same engine and transmission - but it has 2.9’s in it. Everything else (for the most part) is the same. The wagon will literally do a circle around the ’86 from a stop light (several car lengths) – just because of the gear ratio difference.
My goal is to put 3.23’s into both cars (primarily city driven cars).
Performance Meter
To summarize that thread, my stock ’86 5th Ave 318 2-bbl auto car with 2.2 gears, did 21.1 seconds in ¼ mile.
My ‘77 Volare wagon 318 2-bbl auto car with 2.9 gears, did 17.6 seconds in ¼ mile.
I doubt there is much weight difference between the two cars (not weighted, so not sure). The powertrain is exactly the same. The only real difference is Gear Ratio (4.5 seconds difference).
BudW
