Issues w/ '39 Synchro Tranny with Mitchell Overdrive

[GeneBob]

Post #13 reminded me that I "recurved" the shifter for my 1935 trans to get the top forward a little ways. When I shifted with the original shift lever shape, the knob was way back almost on the seats (Tudor). I was very careful about how I went to bend it but found out it was pretty easy to just muscle it with the base of the stick in a vise.

[Colonial coupe]

I using a 36 transmission with a Mitchell and float a motor also. I did get the proper Mitchell shifter bracket from them for the V8 transmission, it is different and makes a difference. Like you I had to cut the V8 transmission mount on the left side to clear the battery. I had to get creative with some bends in the shift lever, but everything clears and works as intended. It does get a little crowded in there though.

[GeneBob]

Originally Posted by Colonial coupe

I using a 36 transmission with a Mitchell and float a motor also. I did get the proper Mitchell shifter bracket from them for the V8 transmission, it is different and makes a difference. Like you I had to cut the V8 transmission mount on the left side to clear the battery. I had to get creative with some bends in the shift lever, but everything clears and works as intended. It does get a little crowded in there though.

I wasn't smart enough to ask Mitchell if the had a different bracket for the later model trans. Wish I had.

[Bud]

I had the same problem. I had to cut off the ear on the bearing retainer just like you did. The aluminum shifter housing normally provide by Mitchell for the Model A Transmission does not work with a 39 transmission. I had a custom shifter housing made up for my 39 tranny. The bore has to be lowered which will clear the frame but also allow the floorboard to be installed. I tried to get Mitchell interested in making what I wanted, but they were not interested, probably too little demand. But they have been super to work with in all other respects. I think I have a sketch of the bracket, I will have to look for it if you want it. Just let me know.
My bracket still needs to be installed with a lot of washers underneath to get the exact position. Unfortunately I don't currently have pictures of the bracket and its mounting, but I will need to get some just for my reference. When I do I can share them.

[rotorwrench]

Just for information, there are several bearing retainers that were used in the early V8 cars that had the rear trans mount attached with the smaller round retainer with a big rubber donut. These are retrofittable to any of the top or side shift light duty Ford 3-speed transdmissions in cars up thru 1948 and and in 1/2-ton pickups up to 1951 or so. They can be found on flea-pay now and then. This way a person doesn't have to cut the rear mount. Here is a link to view what it looks like.
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...ount_32-36.jpg

[Bud]

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Here is a sketch of the bracket I made for my 39 transmission:

[Bud]

This is a sketch of a bracket I had a shop make for me for my 1939 transmission:

[Bud]

Here is a larger view of my bracket sketch:

[Bud]

I do not have a photo of my bracket at this time.

[Bud]

Clarification: As I think about it, the sketch there is the standard aluminum bracket and I have notes regarding how much I had to drop the shifter shaft bore to clear the floorboard and to lower the shifter arm. Basically I had a piece of round stock welded to the mounting plate (all steel construction). Then the round stock was bored for the shifter shaft.

[SteveE]

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

Lengthen the arm?

Yes, Mitchell has an extension that they sell already machined for the 1928 frame.

[SteveE]

Thanks! I had already cut them off. :-0

[California Travieso]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I understand that you can put the 1939 gears in a 1932 gear case. Would that eliminate the problems with using the 1939 case and tower?

David Serrano

[Bud]

I have already done the conversion using the 1939 gears in a 1932 case. It is difficult on two points: getting the gears in the case can be done but requires installing the cluster gear shaft last and horsing the front thrust washer into position with dental picks--a couple hour job; also you need to make custom motor mounts because the B flywheel housing is narrower by 3/8" than the A flywheel housing. I know someone will chime in and recommend Float-A-Motor mounts (of which there is a B version), but those do not transfer the thrust of the rear axle thru the motor mount area as Ford originally designed. That thrust then has to find its way thru the Float-A-Motor mounts, the front engine mount, and engine pans, none of which are designed to handle it.

[Bud]

PS, that does not eliminate the "problems" with the 1939 case and tower. One will still need the proper shifter bracket.

[SteveE]

39 gears in a 32 don't change the clearance issue for the Mitchell shift lever arm. I installed the arm extender for the 1928 frame and I have the proper clearance now to hook up the battery box, brake line, and shift rod from the OD to the arm on the upper left of the transmission. Problem solved by Steve Mitchell.

[SteveE]

Note the OD arm is reversed when looking from the driver's door. I found that this gives me more clearance from the brake rod. Additionally, I reversed the Mitchell OD output arm from left-oriented to right by turning it with a wrench 180 deg and reattaching the selector shift rod nut and washer. I now have OD shift lever arm and selector rod clearance from the battery box and frame back to the OD arm. Still need to finalize and cut the floorboard.

[rotorwrench]

91A gears in an early model B or V8 gearbox require a custom made 2nd/high shift fork. The 91A shift fork is not designed to work with the early 18/48 shift tower that angles back. It will only directly fit the 68 and later shift towers.

[SteveE]

Not the subject of my post folks, but OK.