Recap: the OD on my '83 245 stopped working. Determined the problem to be the OD solenoid. I decided I did not need the lockout functionality, so I used a Dremel tool to make a channel between the two holes in the OD solenoid, and reinstalled it leaving out the small O ring.

At this point, the OD was working intermittently. At times the tranny would shift into OD, but only at about 50-60 MPH. I figured that not enough fluid was getting into the OD at lower speeds. I removed the OD and made the channel larger, which seemed to help some.

I finally decided to get the 'OD bypass plate' from IPD. The OD is now working as it should, and shifting at normal speeds.

-Josh