Hey guys:

I have a pretty low mileage (49K) '73 Valiant with a Slant six. Unfortunately it also came equipped with an A250 3-speed manual.

To bring everyone who might not be familiar up to speed, the A250 is the heavier-duty 3-speed introduced in the early 70's along with the 230 and 390. Only problem is the 250 is not synchronized on low gear.

I'm not sure why that version would have been put into an A-body other than they were simply running low on 230's that day, but it's original and it's in there.

I don't care for it. Without power steering it's a chore to drive in the city, and I'd be ok with double-clutching to get low gear if I were driving a dump truck, but I'm not

I have a line on an '82 Diplomat SL6 in the JY with a 904, so I'm curious if I'm going to need to have my driveshaft shortened, use the M-body version or what. I hope that trans is a lock-up unit as I have the usual 3.23 gears out back behind the manual

Yes, that makes me sick about the Diplomat, because they are rare and it was a straight, complete car with AC. Oh well.

Any info is appreciated, thanks.

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1966 Chrysler 300 coupe
1968 Plymouth Valiant 100
1969 Dart Custom 273 V8

Is the transmission code on your fender plate on the first line D-??
(would also be interested in the number on the passenger side pad on the transmission as well).

Really sounds like someone blew up the A-230 one day before the 80's and threw the next available tranny in there.

As long as it wasn't a "long" tailshaft truck tranny, your driveline should fit, but you will have to check the splines on the yoke to make sure it's compatible with the A904.

Yep I thought it was swapped in also, but it seems to be legit.

The transmission code on the fender tag is D14.

The numbers on the transmission pad are:

3R126006 (matches VIN)

PP250 4058 0043


This is an unusual car anyway. It's as plain jane as can be but was ordered with a 225 and R21 AM/FM radio. Instead of the ribbed seat inserts it has velour which matches perfectly and for all intents looks totally original. However I've never seen that on another Valiant that year.

The mystery deepens. I decoded the fender tag again and this time noticed it's coded for a 22" radiator, which has been replaced. On a non-AC car sold in Pennsylvania?

It has a regular 4-blade fixed fan and no shroud, but it was tagged in the left front years ago, maybe it got the rad then.

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1966 Chrysler 300 coupe
1968 Plymouth Valiant 100
1969 Dart Custom 273 V8

Probably because it was the HD column shift option over the A-230and gvine the 22' radiator a few other things should be better optioned on the car...is it discs and an 8 1/4" rear too?

If it were a floor shift, I would just make the easy swap to the A-833OD and be done with it...

If you go to the A904, make sure the radiator has the bungs for the tranny cooler.

You will need the tranny cooler lines and mounting clips, the kickdown linkage(may need some work since the dippy might be equipped with the Holley 1945, and not the 1920 your car should have....)...if it has the Carter BBD...take the whole assembly manifolds, linkage and tranny....

The other problem will be the shifting linkage....you will have to swap your steering column or do some modifying and get an after market shifter for the Auto Tranny....the good news is that power steering auto tranny columns are very common, so you shouldn't have much problem finding one, and you can swap out your manual box too...(someone will want the manual steering box for sure so you can earn a few $$$ back on it).

You may need to open up and assess the A904, to make sure the tranny is still in good shape and someone hasnt burned up the bands or shimmed up the lockup mechanism to keep it locked out or from "chattering".

Good Luck.

hi sages- this is very curious to me. i ordered a new 73 valiant when they came out with a 318 v8 and a 3speed floorshift which was a 230 trans. it had syncro on 1st and was listed in the book as a hd trans. never heard of this 250 non syncro model. there was a 745 non syncro 1st trans 3 speed which came with the v8s, it too was called an hd trans. wasnt the 390 an abody 3 speed manual with a no syncro 1st which came in column shift or inland floor shifter models? what was the special purpose of this 250? thanks tons bob f

A250 is listed in the 1973 Parts Manual as the HD column shift 3speed for only the Valiant/Dart 198/225 platform, everything else got the A-230 or an A-833.

A745 is the old non-synchro "peanut" box because it was light duty, which got replaced by the more capable A903 non-syncro first 3 speed which was put behind everything including the base model 383's.

A390 took over the role of the A250 as the HD 3 speed manual transmission in A and F-body platforms, standard 3 speed still being the A230, and the 4 speed option becoming the A-833OD in 1975.

hi DI- had a 745 in a 64 330 full size sedan(like a polara) behind a 318v8. ran fine until about 150k when the input shaft bearing and first gear went to hell. shyster said he would rebuild those two parts if i gave the trans to him. tried to clip me for 600 back in 71.instead put in a junkyard trans from a 65 coronet which cost 75 and a new clutch while i was at it for 100. yard told me coronet had a sl6in it. strange thing about the trans was while it looked identical to the 745 the box was narrower and lighter. had no synchro 1st too. ran fine for another 90k until the car rusted out badly. remember keep your eyes moving at all times so the congs or cleaners dont get you. actually wanted to get one of those 3spd borg warner overdrives but dodge phased them out in 59 or 60. could never find one in a yard. regards bob f

Thanks for the info.

Supposedly my '73 was owned by the same lady from late 1972 until 2013. The broadcast sheet indicates "sold car".

I have a hard time believing she or the dealer would have ordered that car equipped that way with a 225 instead of a 198, a HD transmission and an AM/FM radio of all things in an otherwise stripped Valiant. And why would the fender tag be coded for a 22" radiator?

It sounds more like a car ordered for fleet usage. Maybe she bought it used when it was a couple years old. I guess that will remain a mystery.

As I alluded to earlier, it's not a totally enjoyable car to cruise around in as-is. The linkage is getting slopping and occasionally something is getting hung-up in low where the clutch will not engage fully without the shifter being moved back to neutral and the clutch let out briefly.

That could also be inside the trans as I noticed the top cover had been resealed with sealant.

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1966 Chrysler 300 coupe
1968 Plymouth Valiant 100
1969 Dart Custom 273 V8