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The research I have done shows that the 670 bell was only available in 77/78.. .

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Still learning from you shorty!

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The A 833 and the OD 833 use different front bearing retainers. The 8ss uses a 4.80 diameter retainer and the OD 833 uses a 5.125 diameter retainer.

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The OD transmission uses the old third gear as the overdrive. They flip the 3-4 shift lever so that direct drive is in the old 3rd gear position and 4th goes then through the cluster gear like the old 3rd gear. In order to get the overdrive ratio, the input gear had to be made larger so subsequently a larger hole was required in the front of the transmission case and a larger bearing and retainer.

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That doesn't quite do it. Good thinking though. The hole was the same size on both cases.

The difference was only in the cover. The OD and non OD transmissions had the same front bearing. That was larger in diameter than any of the gears. After all, it rode in the case and dictated the size of the hole.
Also, note that the bolt patterns were the same. You can remove the OD bearing retainer and replace it with a non-OD retainer. That was the common fix years ago.

I learned all too well about OD being the new third gear. I ended up getting the dreaded death rattle after the side shaft wallowed out the hole in the aluminum case.