Rebuilding a 904 is pretty easy. Just get a service manual (a REAL factory one is best) and tear it apart. You'll see there's not really much to them once you pull it apart. You can gut an A500 (4 speed OD) from a 3.9 or 5.2 liter Dakota, Ram Truck or Van (full size) for the HD parts and lower first and second gears. It's the same stuff that was put in the A998/A999 transmissions.

A good shift kit (I like Fairbanks and Transgo myself) and you'll be chirping the tires before you know it!

You could even convert it to lockup (I think) by using all the A500 guts. I'm not so sure about that one, so check with a good trans place first. The nice thing with the lockup setup is the mileage improvement and better response in top gear, since the converter isn't slipping. You can also get a "looser" converter (higher stall) for better launch without the slip at cruise.

Marc
www.marcmedina.com

there are 4 versions of the A833; short and long tail (B&E body vs. A body; truck version is same as long tail B&E,,,, and OD /non OD.) I don't believe that the factory ever put the non OD 833 in a truck; most of them got the NP435, granny 1st gear trans. In the early 80s, there were a few Chevy trucks with the OD version, innards were the same but I believe the case WAS different to bolt up to the Chevy BH. GM had a different code name for this trans.

I've been lurking for the last 6 months or so and have been reading all the 5 speed posts here and the other slant 6 board, all the links, archives, and everything else I can find on the subject.
I have a 76 Feather Duster with a worn out OD 4 speed and now the clutch is just about gone, so I guess it is just about time to do something. I figured while I was at it, it would be smart to go for a 5 speed, so here goes.
The transmission has the stock Hurst linkage on the 4 speed and the stock floor shift trans tunnel. Being a factory 4 speed car, I'm loath to modify the floor, tunnel, or floor shift tunnel adaptor piece, does anyone think I can lean any of the possible 5 speeds enough to run the shifter though the existing shifter hole without modifiing it? Is the fore/aft spacing anywhere close on anything out there, with or without an adaptor plate?
Of the possible T5s, it would seem the 94-95 V8 and 94 up V6 Mustang (pre electric speedo) transmissions are the most desirable (because of the input shaft length). Anyone concure? Is the Ford Motorsport one from Summit for under 1200 bucks compatible enough to be worth consideration?
From what I've read, the late LA V8 bellhousing fits Jeep AX 15 and Toyota R154 (Supra Turbo) transmissions. These mount straight up? Would either one fit the car (specifically the tunnel) as well or better than the T5?
Could the early factory slant 6 adaptor plate and/or crank spacer to adapt the A727 V8 transmission be used adapt any of the LA small block bells to the slant 6? The one that bolts to the Jeep or Toyota transmissions for instance?
I realize that my 340 or any number of 360s with the late bell and the Jeep or Toyota transmissions might be an easier job (with Schumacker mounts), but I'm determined to stay with the six. The little sucker is worn out and still gets 18+mpg around town and over 30 on the highway. Got a Volari super six setup (complete down to the aircleaner and just waiting) out of a junkyard several years back, might even split the exhaust and run twin cats.
Sorry for the "fifty questions" on a first post and highjacking this thread (I guess I should have started a new one, but I'm really wanting to get started on this and jumped the gun). Any help is greatly appreciated.

Twin cats, why?? Do you live where you need to get tested? If not, DITCH THE CAT! Even if your area does test, Ive noticed lately that many exempt cars 30+ years old.

It's my understanding (although I haven't checked in a while) the current laws around here require any car new enough to have been required to run cats originally (1975 and up) to be tested and a major part of the test is a visual for all emission devices present as originally equipped. I just figured the average state employee isn't going to know enough about 30 year old Dusters to realize it wasn't made with dual exhaust, but you better believe they'd flunk it it without any cat even if it did pass the sniffer (which it wouldn't).