The Ford Barn

P.S. · 08-02-2025, 08:29 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14dVuVwFJ24

By popular demand- Steve Mitchell himself talking about the Mitchell overdrive, the synchronized transmissions and all about how they work, as well as other Mitchell Manufacturing products. But mainly, the do's and dont's of gear ratios, and other modifications.

You guys wanted this, here it is.

Y-Blockhead · 08-02-2025, 08:46 AM

Thanks PS. Sounds like a good video. I’ll have to check it out later when I have time.

Jim/GA · 08-02-2025, 09:02 AM

Did you ask him why the transmission jumps out of 1st gear when descending a hill and using engine braking? That's a real pain.

P.S. · 08-02-2025, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim/GA

Did you ask him why the transmission jumps out of 1st gear when descending a hill and using engine braking? That's a real pain.

That's another reason I prefer the #2 ratio setup. The #3 setup tends to have that problem. However- With a stiff shift tower like Steve discusses, the problem seems to go away.

JKY · 08-02-2025, 09:46 AM

Thanks Paul. Good information.

nkaminar · 08-02-2025, 01:58 PM

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Thanks for sharing that. I learned quite a lot.

My only request is to add closed caption so that I can read what is being said. My hearing is such that this helps me a lot.

Several people on the Barn have brought up issues where their transmission is jumping out of gear. From what Steve has said it could be that the main shaft is moving fore and aft or that the detent system in the tower needs some work. It is interesting that Steve uses shims to increase the detent spring tension.

Big hammer · 08-02-2025, 02:32 PM

When I did my shift tower I found the new spring was way to weak so I reused the old one, I made sure the plungers moved freely in the bores ,lightly honed the bores !

Y-Blockhead · 08-02-2025, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.S.

That's another reason I prefer the #2 ratio setup. The #3 setup tends to have that problem. However- With a stiff shift tower like Steve discusses, the problem seems to go away.

I have the option #3 Synchro Trans (15% over 1st and 2nd). I have never had an issue with the transmission jumping out of 1st gear when descending a hill and using engine braking?

But then again, I can't remember ever using 1st gear for engine braking either??

I don't know if my transmission has a "Stiff Shift Tower" or not.

Synchro909 · 08-02-2025, 09:06 PM

Steve sounds like the sort of guy who could talk forever about gearboxes and still have everybody listening. Thanks for posting that. I learned a lot.

bruceincam · 08-02-2025, 09:53 PM

Thanks Paul. Very good information.

08-02-2025, 08:29 AM	#1
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Hazzard County Posts: 1,922	Everything about the Mitchell overdrives, synchro transmissions, etc. Steve Mitchell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14dVuVwFJ24 By popular demand- Steve Mitchell himself talking about the Mitchell overdrive, the synchronized transmissions and all about how they work, as well as other Mitchell Manufacturing products. But mainly, the do's and dont's of gear ratios, and other modifications. You guys wanted this, here it is.

08-02-2025, 09:46 AM	#5
JKY Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 152	Re: Everything about the Mitchell overdrives, synchro transmissions, etc. Steve Mitch Thanks Paul. Good information.

08-02-2025, 01:58 PM	#6
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,872	Re: Everything about the Mitchell overdrives, synchro transmissions, etc. Steve Mitch Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for sharing that. I learned quite a lot. My only request is to add closed caption so that I can read what is being said. My hearing is such that this helps me a lot. Several people on the Barn have brought up issues where their transmission is jumping out of gear. From what Steve has said it could be that the main shaft is moving fore and aft or that the detent system in the tower needs some work. It is interesting that Steve uses shims to increase the detent spring tension. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-02-2025, 02:32 PM	#7
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,431	Re: Everything about the Mitchell overdrives, synchro transmissions, etc. Steve Mitch When I did my shift tower I found the new spring was way to weak so I reused the old one, I made sure the plungers moved freely in the bores ,lightly honed the bores ! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

08-02-2025, 09:06 PM	#9
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,044	Re: Everything about the Mitchell overdrives, synchro transmissions, etc. Steve Mitch Steve sounds like the sort of guy who could talk forever about gearboxes and still have everybody listening. Thanks for posting that. I learned a lot. __________________ I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Even at my age, I still like to look at a young, attractive woman but I can't really remember why.

08-02-2025, 08:46 AM	#2
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 6,652	Re: Everything about the Mitchell overdrives, synchro transmissions, etc. Steve Mitch Thanks PS. Sounds like a good video. I’ll have to check it out later when I have time.

08-02-2025, 09:02 AM	#3
Jim/GA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Young Harris, GA Posts: 1,964	Re: Everything about the Mitchell overdrives, synchro transmissions, etc. Steve Mitch Did you ask him why the transmission jumps out of 1st gear when descending a hill and using engine braking? That's a real pain. __________________ Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Spread the Joy! Have a Model A day!"

08-02-2025, 09:53 PM	#10
bruceincam Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Camarillo, Ca Posts: 173	Re: Everything about the Mitchell overdrives, synchro transmissions, etc. Steve Mitch Thanks Paul. Very good information.