Chrysler A-833 Transmissions. Jamie Passon

would likely not move the car in third gear. (Photo Courtesy Sawmill Garage-Sweden)

      CHAPTER 3

       A-833 IDENTIFICATION

      The A-833 was released for the 1964 production year. However, it had been in the works for some time. An important thing to keep in mind is that not every case has a clear casting date present on it. After handling thousands of these transmissions, it is evident that the greatest care was not taken in the identification department.

Main Case Casting Numbers

      When there is just the month and day, it is to be assumed that the year of the vehicle is referenced for the year of the transmission manufacture. This was fine back in the day, but once these cars got to the age of recycling used components into them it throws a wrench into the identification. Let’s face it, a large percentage of the cars that are being restored have had major components replaced previously.

      The casting date is clear on this case as being month, day, and year. This was not always a common practice and was later changed to just a month and day configuration. This case happens to be the earliest casting date in my possession. It was likely used on one of the earliest production A-833-equipped cars built in 1964, since the casting date is June 3, 1963. Production for the 1964 model year would have begun in July 1963.

      It can be difficult to determine if the transmission has been changed in vehicles built prior to the federally mandated regulation of stamping the VIN into the major vehicle components. When considering pre-1968 vehicles, it could be argued that if the casting date falls into the proper production window then it is the correct transmission.

       C-95639

      Beginning in 1964, the main case had a casting number of C-95639. During this time, cases were machined for a 307 input shaft bearing and the date is below the casting number. This case does not have the raised VIN pad that is present on later cases.

      This photo shows the month and day only with the C-95639 casting number. It tells me that this was likely mid-production 1964 unit. This would have been cast on November 26, 1963.

      This photo shows the month, day, and year. This is not as common as the month and day only. This was cast on December 21, 1967. This would be for the 1968 model year.

       Identifying the Different Types of Internal Components

      “C” stood for “Casting.” All forgings were identified with an “F” for “Forging.” Examples are C-96561 and F-99385. ■

       C-96561

      The next number that was used was C-96561. This case was machined for the 307 input shaft bearing. It was used in 1965 and 1966.

      This is a 1965 or early 1966 case with the casting number C-96561. The symbol next to the number 4 is the foundry symbol. Many different foundries were used for castings for the A-833 components. Many were in the northeast United States because of the location of the New Process Plant in Syracuse, New York.

       C-97372

      Cases with casting number C-97372 were the first to receive the VIN pad on the passenger’s side just above the casting number. I have seen these cases dated back to late 1966 with no VIN pad. All of these cases were machined for a 307 input bearing. Although the pad was not machined or stamped, it tells me that this regulation may have been in the works for some time. This casting number was used until 1968.

      This is an example of the first case that was cast with a VIN pad present. Note that the pad is rough-cast and is not machined flat in order to be stamped. This casting number was used in late 1966 and 1967. Its casting number is C-97372. Since it had a VIN pad, it’s from 1967.