Possible diamond in the ruff

[Da67goatman]

I was at a local pull-a-part the other day, I also buy my metal stock from them, and found what I think may be the rarest truck combo I have ever seen.  Its a shortbed c10 thoroughly picked minus the front bumper with marker/turn signals which makes me think either 81 or 82.  But what was odd to me was the straight 6 and manual trans combo still in it. So i hopped in through the large hole where the drivers door used to be and grabbed the stick and worked it through the gears, surprisingly they all worked until I went for reverse...

I was assuming it was the granny 4 speed SM465 and reverse was all the way right and back but there was no gear there.  I proceeded to try again and again and then it hit me maybe its next to first, could it be?

Low and behold I found reverse which proceeded to put a huge grin on my face.  like this:   Anyone know what I found?


Its the rare MY-6 New process a-883 4 speed overdrive!  Jackpot.  I am not well versed in identifying 6's so I don't know if its a 250 or 292, but I will be returning for that trans if nothing else.  I had never known any truck to have the overdrive behind a straight 6, let alone it being a shorty.  If you have heard of the 883 you know its hard to find and pretty expensive if someone is selling one, but to a junkyard its just another manual trans. 

Can anyone verify that GM did put the 883 behind 6's and if it was even an option in the 81-82? 

I will be returning to id the engine, just don't know when and maybe they will come home to be my next rebuild.

[zieg85]

Congrats on the find.  I have 3 A833 and I know how hard they are to come by, especially complete with the linkage still in the truck.  I've not known one behind a straight 6 but I have seen them behind a 4.3L V-6. 

[bake74]

     Again congrats, I actually purchased one for my 74 build, but got the transfer case, bell housing, all the shift linkage and clutch parts for a steal in my opinion.  I wanted overdrive for my project because of the type of build I am planning.
     Again, congrats and don't wait to long before you go back, they are getting harder to find.

[heavychevy91]

Awesome! Go back and get it before its gone. I wish i could find one for my truck. I like having a manual trans, but the 465 in mine is about to get traded for a 700R4 so i can gain overdrive. Wish i could find an 883 around here...

[1980c10]

my 80 with the inline 250 had the sm465. My guess is that the motor is a 292 given the trans but easy to id by the tappet covers also '80 had a progressive 2bbl carb on at least the 250

[rustyMUD]

A nice find indeed!

The A833 trans was found in half ton trucks from 81-87.  If the engine in the truck is original, it should be a 250, as 292's were only found in HD 3/4 tons and one ton trucks.  Or course, that doesn't mean someone didn't swap one in.  An easy way to distinguish them is to look at the location of the fuel pump.  If it's in front of the engine mount, toward the radiator, it's a 250.  If the fuel pump is behind the engine mount, it's a 292. 

[Da67goatman]

I returned to the yard today with my buddy.  Id the engine as a 250 and the truck is an '82.  Soon as I pick up another job and get the money train rollin,  I have dibs on the transmission, driveshaft,  front bumper with bumperettes and fog light cutouts, and the steering column.  Its def a decent start, and somewhere along the line I will find a 292 to put in front of it.

[bake74]

     Da67goatman what are you planning to put this combo in ?  Do you have plans for a build that we are not aware of ?

[Da67goatman]

I have a build planned, and it will be very cool if it ever happens:  Beastly 292 backed with the np a883 and a Custom design (read: my design) IRS setup 3.55 with detroit locker.  Longbed stepside slammed on air with a 50's hot rod vibe, flat black red wheels, houndstooth interior, rag for gas cap, big shifter, sidepipes, and miles of pin-striping.  Ideally it will be fully functional as far as power windows, locks ect, heat and AC, receiver hitch as a reliable efficient daily driver yet fun enough not to get boring and unique enough to leave everyone in awe, something that look so crude yet is completely functional.  I have many builds planned, its just the funding to build them that's lacking.