How do I Identify Chrysler Transmissions?
by Floyd Drake III
Many different transmissions have been used on Chrysler vehicles, including those manufactured by Chrysler itself and others manufactured by outside corporations such as New Process. According to Teufert's transmission ID chart, the dominant Chrysler automatics are the Torqueflite 727 and 904. Key manual transmissions include the Chrysler and New Process three speeds, as well as the model 833 four speed. Side covers, pan shapes and bolt counts are the important elements to consider when identifying Chrysler transmissions.
Step 1
Determine if the transmission is an automatic or a manual, also known as a standard transmission.
Step 2
Go underneath the vehicle to access the transmission. The best way to view the transmission is by going under the driver's side door.
Step 3
Count the number of bolts and view the transmission pan shape on the automatic transmission. According to the Teufert website the Torqueflite 727 has an irregular-shaped pan with 14 bolts fastening the pan to the bottom of the transmission housing. The Torqueflite 904 has 14 bolts with a rectangular-shaped pan with one corner on an angle.
Step 4
Locate and count the bolts on the side cover of the manual transmission. The side cover is located on the driver's side and is where the shifter linkage hooks up to the transmission. It is forward of the shift pad. Teufert's ID page identifies Chrysler-built three speeds as having a six-bolt side cover, while the New Process three speed has an eight bolt side cover. The model 833 has a 13-bolt side cover.
Step 5
Differentiate between the model 833 A, B and E-body transmissions. The model 833 variations are identified by the location of the shifter pad. The shifter pad is three-bolts set in a triangular pattern, where the shifter mounts to the transmission. According to Slant Six's four-speed page, the B-body shifter pad is at the front of the tailpiece, where it mounts to the main transmission housing. The E-body pad is at the rear of the tailpiece, while the A-body is behind the cross member mount flange, which is where the tailpiece mounts to the cross member. The A-body tailpiece is also shorter than the B and E-bodies.
References
Tips
- The Chrysler A500 and A518 automatic transmissions are overdrive versions of the Torqueflite 904 and 727.
Writer Bio
A native of New Haven, Conn., Floyd Drake III began writing in 1984. His work has appeared in the "New Haven Register," Medford's "Mail-Tribune" and the "Ashland Daily Tidings." Drake studied journalism at Southern Connecticut State University. After working as a reporter in Oregon, he is now based back home in New Haven.
