Tranny Swap 903 to 230, is it possible & practical
04-06-2009, 07:40 AM
#1
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Tranny Swap 903 to 230, is it possible & practical
Recently lost 1st gear in my '66 B Body SL6-225" daily driver with the 3 speed (on the tree) manual #A903 tranny. Rather than repair the A903, I thought it might be better to get either the A745 or an all synchro box like the A230.
Is the 745 much better than the 903 or would the A230 be the way to go?
My 903 trans has the 23 spline input and 26 spline output shafts, is roughly 23.5" long.
On my SL6 will this be a nearly bolt-in operation if I find a B/C/...3 speed A230?
Any suggestions much appreciated on the swap and/or source of the tranny.
Thanks!
Is the 745 much better than the 903 or would the A230 be the way to go?
My 903 trans has the 23 spline input and 26 spline output shafts, is roughly 23.5" long.
On my SL6 will this be a nearly bolt-in operation if I find a B/C/...3 speed A230?
Any suggestions much appreciated on the swap and/or source of the tranny.
Thanks!
04-28-2009, 10:55 AM
#4
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As a follow up: The swap from an A903 to an A230 went fairly smoothly. I found a rebuilt A230 at a trans shop in LA. The bellhousing pattern was the same as were the overall tranny length, front and rear splines (23 and 26 resp) and rear motor mount position.
I used the '66 driveshaft, but had to saw off 2 " of the front yoke's shaft that extended into the tail shaft. The splined portion was not affected, as this was the part that is ahead of the splines on the yoke, if that makes any sense.
Also, the frame cross member on the '66 interfered with the 3-bolt mount on the tailshaft of the 230. So, a little surgery was required to the crossmember.
The linkage, as described in various online posts, is slightly different. I used the levers from the 903 on the 230 and extended the linkage arms about 2". Fitting these and the trial and error alignment proved to be the most time consuming part of the swap.
I can remember a Dodge I had back in the day that had the same "broom in a bathtub" shifter feel with the three on the tree setup. At least a new 3 speed Hurst floor shifter for $140 will solve that problem.
The new A230 sounds better than the old 903 and shifts smoothly. Having a synchro first gear makes double clutching less of a chancy undertaking. I still can't believe the amazing torque on the slant six.
I used the '66 driveshaft, but had to saw off 2 " of the front yoke's shaft that extended into the tail shaft. The splined portion was not affected, as this was the part that is ahead of the splines on the yoke, if that makes any sense.
Also, the frame cross member on the '66 interfered with the 3-bolt mount on the tailshaft of the 230. So, a little surgery was required to the crossmember.
The linkage, as described in various online posts, is slightly different. I used the levers from the 903 on the 230 and extended the linkage arms about 2". Fitting these and the trial and error alignment proved to be the most time consuming part of the swap.
I can remember a Dodge I had back in the day that had the same "broom in a bathtub" shifter feel with the three on the tree setup. At least a new 3 speed Hurst floor shifter for $140 will solve that problem.
The new A230 sounds better than the old 903 and shifts smoothly. Having a synchro first gear makes double clutching less of a chancy undertaking. I still can't believe the amazing torque on the slant six.
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