Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

I agreed to help a club member install his Mitchell O/D when he receives it. He has ordered the cable option to replace the operating lever. I've never seen the cable setup. Any 'Barners have experience with this setup? Photos?Tnx!

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

Yes, have Mitchell cable in another later mid '30's car. The cable extends down from bracket under dash and is curved over to steering column opening before it runs thru firewall and under car. The trick is to make sure cable is proper length for adjustments (to be able to push/pull cable for proper engagement and with gradual curves over its length).

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

And be sure to keep the cable well lubed. I like to remove the inner cable and squirt oil down the housing, then push the cable in while running it through some grease in my hand. This is the same way I do speedometer and any other cables. I need to tighten the cable a bit on my snowblower now because after I oiled it, it won't stay on high speed. :D

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

I have a Mitchell O/D in 3 Model As, all operated by the standard extra lever behind the original shift. I don't like the extra lever. When I enquired at Mitchell about converting to cable, they gave me a price which I can't remember now but I'd have to sell the house to buy one.:eek:
Now the Hijack! Does anybody have any other ideas on how to get rid of the extra lever short of taking the O/D out of the car (won't happen). Solenoid perhaps?

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

Arnold, look at the two speed eaton axle shift motor of an old bedford,or a throttle shift motor of a JLG boom lift.
Lawrie

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

Thanks Lawrie, I'll do some sniffing around.

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

I was thinking a 6 volt linear motor with proper linkage would work.
A google search showed several suppliers.

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

This one has been installed about 3 years. Daily driver. No trouble.

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

That sounds like it would be a good choice.

My neighbor just bought a low hours John Deere lawn tractor, then went to another dealer and bought a snowblower attachment. Now he wants to buy the cable that tilts the end of the chute, but John Deere wants $300 for the cable and 2 simple brackets to hold it.:eek:

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

That's the sort of thing I found when I enquired at Mitchell about converting to cable. I bet they don't charge much if any more for a cable change new!
My only reservation about a linear motor is that they apply a fairly large force which might put too much pressure on the synchro rings for longevity, especially when it is still cold. I'd lose the ability to "feel' the change. Only need a "throw" of about 3/4". Most seem to be waaay more than that. Might need to put a cut out switch on it to limit the travel. Not a bad thing anyway.

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

I have the same concern about not being able to feel the shift.

I took some GM power window units apart after the cables broke, and the motors have a set of tension contacts that limit the travel when the glass reached a certain level of resistance. Say you are raising the glass and it reached the top, then the UP contacts open, so it won't keep trying to go up even if you push the switch up. The same holds true for lowering the glass.

Now, maybe out frozen wipers to glass need the same limit switch. :D

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

Car makers would have to do that to cover idiots who might have their head out the window while someone winds it up. With no tension switch, that could be fatal.:eek:
Never seen a wiper frozen to the window here.

Re: Mitchell O/D with cable operation
 

Tnx Mag! Just the input I needed! I talked to my friend Tom Jordan at Snyders yesterday and he told me that he had sold several of the cable operated unit, mostly to Aussies with RHD cars. No reported problems.