D.I. / Josh & Others -

Need some additional input / ideas regarding a continuous problem with the A833OD in the Dart. The tranny was rebuilt in 2008 with approx. 2k miles since. All gears have worked well with the exception of a recent continuous 'grinding / non-meshing' when shifting into Reverse. Clutch adjustment is good. Transmission fluid is 'Redline MT-90' synthetic oil. Question: is this fluid adequate or should I be using something else. Please give me your thoughts and/or results with other products or other trouble shooting ideas.

Thanks Everyone.

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Bummer. Grinding going into reverse usually is a clutch release (dragging) problem. MT-90 is a great lube for the trans, but I really think the clutch needs close inspection. Is there any way to remove the dust shield and have someone use a mirror to see if the clutch disc stops when disengaged?

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Joshua

Nice to gear from you Matt, I keep forgetting to call (work is long and evenings are short).

Your tranny oil is just fine for the box... the reverse "crunch" occurs in some boxes and others it does not for some reason. I would check your adjustment on the shift rod and see if it's a few threads out of adjustment.
Some of the problem is also the reverse gear is a straight cut gear with no synchro, did your rebuilder check the gears to see if there was any damage or worn parts in the reverse assembly?

-D.Idiot

DI / Josh -
Thanks for checking in and giving me some feedback. I just installed a new clutch last month and have not had a lot of drive time. I'll perform additional clutch pedal adjustment along with the reverse shift rod. I may have gotten the shift rod adjustment turned out / in too much during dis-assembly / assembly.

DI - I had trans serviced by Randy's Transmission in South Salem. To be honest, I don't remember what all he had to do. He did say it was it great shape and not a lot had to be done ?? !

Regardless, I'll check out all your suggestions ! Good talking with both of you. Hope to see you guys this summer at a 'function'!

Thanks

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Many of the Synthetic gear lubes are not rated for use with synchro type transmissions. I spent a bunch of time reading the bottles of Redline one afternoon at my FAPS. They didn't have anything on the shelf that could be used with synchros, even though they were advertised as transmission gear oil.

2¢

CJ

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

I use ATF in my manual boxes....it makes for nicer shifting on cold days.

90w is for diffs.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

They must not have had MTL or MT-90 on that shelf!
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=45&pcid=7

SAE 90 (a viscosity rating) isn't so much a problem as the extreme pressure additives in GL-5 gear oils which don't allow the synchroizers to do their job in a timely manner.

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Joshua

Unfortunately most standard "Manual Transmission" Gear oils on the shelf are GL-5...

The only other alternative i know of besides Redline, ATF, ot 90wt is to use non-detergented straight 30 wt...but I have no idea where you'd find that now...that used to be available in "cans" on the shelf at your local K-Mart (I'm sure if you flipped on the Blue Light now in Automotive at Big K the pimple faced kid would have to google what language you were talking...)....

-D.Idiot

You might try Shell Telus 30.......(smallest unit = 25L)

ATF is so easy and cheap its pretty hard to beat in a colder climate. Im not sure Id use it in Phoenix in the summer.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

I think the Arizona crowd is using rattlesnake oil as a substitute...



-D.Idiot

Straight 30W works fine too, I have even used 20W50 in them.

sb

FYI:

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Joshua

A833s are tolerant of different lubricants. Motor oil is better than GL-5 for syncro operation and 20W-50 is nearly 80W-90 gear oil in viscosity.

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Joshua

Got to remember way back here, but. I think my Challenger 340 4 speed had ATF in the gear box from the factory.
In 1974 a Shell garage servicwd the car and put 90 weight in the trans. Took it out and couldn't shift the trans. Put ATF back in and it was fine.

Really did own this thing for years. Sold it to buy my first Freightliner. Still wish I hadn't done that. Oh well, live and learn.

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66 Valiant, 225.
84 Van, 225.
71 Maxi-Van, 318
60 Valiant wagon, 225
87 Maxi-Van, 318 4spd