I recently swapped out my three speed column tranny for an 833 OD. I want to shift from the floor and get that fourth gear. I really like it, but it whines when I'm accelerating in fourth gear. The guy who did the swap for me said it wouldn't be worth the money to tear it apart and rebuild, but suggested using an additive to the fluid to see if that helps. Thoughts on that?

I just made the same swap over the summer and noticed the same thing. Mine is also unrebuilt but I did open it up and check it out and everything appeared allright. I've noticed the same thing in dads 67 travellal OD conversion(way different setup) but still OD.

You have to remember that in OD gear, the power is actually being transmitted through the gears, the same gears that served as third gear in the non-overdrive A833.

Third gear in the OD trans (or fourth gear in the non-od trans) is straight through, no power is being transmitted by the gears so it should be quiet there.

If the noise is excessive in OD gear, then you have have bearing or other problems inside.

If you are mechanically inclined, those are not difficult transmissions to rebuild.

By the way, I found a transmission shop here in Minnesota that only does manual transmissions and rear axles. The guy I talked to said he has rebuilt over 250 of those OD trannys and he has new and used parts in stock.

I dared to rebuild my carburetor last winter and after a few tries was successful. I've also pulled the gas tank to replace a bad sending unit. That's as far as I've gone with my truck, besides oil changes, hoses, that sort of easy stuff. Does that make me mech inclined enough to take on a tranny rebuild? All I know about transmissions is that they consist of a system of gears that make ratios for turning the rear end. I've never opened one up before.

My tranny only whines when accelarating in OD. When I let off the gas, it sounds fine. Gears 1-3 are fine, too. If it was a bad bearing, shouldn't I hear it all the time?

Could it be the oil/fluid? According to my factory service manual, the tranny is filled with Dexron automatic tran fluid at the factory. It then goes on to say:

"If objectional gear rattle at idle or during direct gear acceleration is apparent, Multipurpose Gear Lubricant SAE90, SAE 75W, 75W-80, SAE 80W-90 or SAE 85W-90 may be used." It takes 7 pts of fluid (U.S) or Imp. Measure (pts) of 5 3/4. (What is Imp. Measure?) Is it possible the wrong type fluid or not enough fluid could be causing the whine?