Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-08-2018, 09:36 PM   #21
old31
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,082
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Dave Delmue [email protected]
old31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2018, 09:52 PM   #22
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,444
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlG View Post
That's the main reason I went with the F150 overdrive solution. I not only got synchromesh in all gears, but got overdrive at the same time.
I'd like one of those transmissions in my car but....
As I understand it, the cross member has to be cut some. Not allowed here!
Adapting for RHD isn't easy or cheap.
I've done well enough with the synchro tranny and O/D by Mitchell - a good combination.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 05-08-2018, 09:55 PM   #23
CarlG
Senior Member
 
CarlG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,107
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
I'd like one of those transmissions in my car but....

As I understand it, the cross member has to be cut some. Not allowed here!

Adapting for RHD isn't easy or cheap.

I've done well enough with the synchro tranny and O/D by Mitchell - a good combination.


No cutting of the cross member is required.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
Alaskan A's
Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska
Model A Ford Club of America
Model A Restorers Club
Antique Automobile Club of America
Mullins Owner's Club
CarlG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-08-2018, 10:56 PM   #24
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeK View Post
What I find amazing is why anyone would throw $2,000 at a tranny with NO 1st gear synchro. Apparently they never shift into 1st while rolling? I tried a vehicle with a Mitchell for about 10 miles in city stop-go traffic. Hated it for that reason.
I have a 38 truck with a 4sp. All straight gears, love the Mitchell. Works for me.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-09-2018, 02:03 AM   #25
Lawrie
Senior Member
 
Lawrie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Qld, Australia
Posts: 4,194
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Arnold an easier and cheaper way is to fit a V8 box.
Lawrie
Lawrie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2018, 10:02 AM   #26
Roger V
Senior Member
 
Roger V's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,593
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeK View Post
What I find amazing is why anyone would throw $2,000 at a tranny with NO 1st gear synchro. Apparently they never shift into 1st while rolling? I tried a vehicle with a Mitchell for about 10 miles in city stop-go traffic. Hated it for that reason.

You are absolutely correct about their lack of fitting the assembled tower they send to the box. A few simple Go / NoGo fixtures in their shop would fix this before it went out the door.

As to the plastic (likely nylon) fork fingers, this is common on many transmissions and if you are a constant city traffic shift banger you may only get 10,000 miles out of a set. Likely will last the 1st owner's lifetime in an A.
Don't think it's amazing at all but to each his own. I really like mine as does my wife. I like it primarily due to ease of downshifting into second. Whereas with the original set-up we tended to either keep it in third lugging the engine or grind gears in second. While synchronized first is nice, we're stopped anyway and going to first. Even later than the Model A era, transmissions didn't have synchro first for quite awhile. I think we're lucky they could fit synchros for second and third within an original case.
Roger V is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2018, 10:55 AM   #27
Ernie Vitucci
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 611
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

I also have a 49 Packard and it has no first gear synchro. The owner's manual says no need for 1st gear unless dead stopped.

As regards the Mitchell, I run a stock transmission in my 31 with a Mitchell Overdrive and it is a perfect combination for me. I have had it in the car for 12 years and it has given no trouble...Ernie
Ernie Vitucci is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2018, 03:50 PM   #28
California Travieso
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Moreno Valley, CA
Posts: 940
Send a message via Yahoo to California Travieso
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ernie Vitucci View Post
I also have a 49 Packard and it has no first gear synchro. The owner's manual says no need for 1st gear unless dead stopped.

As regards the Mitchell, I run a stock transmission in my 31 with a Mitchell Overdrive and it is a perfect combination for me. I have had it in the car for 12 years and it has given no trouble...Ernie
Ernie,

I think that is true for the Model A. I believe the manual says to shift into second at 15 mph so it's not necessary to downshift into first while the car is moving, and if you do downshift at slow speeds, the transmission goes into first without any grinding.

David Serrano
California Travieso is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2018, 09:13 PM   #29
quickchange
Senior Member
 
quickchange's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Nelson. New Zealand
Posts: 1,999
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Bear in mind, Its said no cutting x member however the brake x shaft is a different shape on a RHD than LHD this may give a clearance problem , Mitchells do a RHD box & RHD overdrive ,Visited them few weeks ago & collected our orders ,Full tour of plant & Mrs Mitchell is one out of the bag , Great lady ,
quickchange is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2018, 09:01 AM   #30
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 4,992
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Quote:
one out of the bag
What does that mean?
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2018, 12:19 PM   #31
amodel25
Senior Member
 
amodel25's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Crowley, TX
Posts: 328
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Double clutching is part of the fun of driving a Model A. Think I'll keep the stock tranny.
amodel25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2018, 12:48 PM   #32
Jeff/Illinois
Senior Member
 
Jeff/Illinois's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,787
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Quote:
Originally Posted by amodel25 View Post
Double clutching is part of the fun of driving a Model A. Think I'll keep the stock tranny.
My way of thinking also.

Since I seldom drive more than maybe 350 miles in a year, I could never justify spending all that time and money, to make my Model A shift like a new Mustang GT. It just isn't that important to me.

The older I get the more I realize, keep it stock or in MY case KISS Keep It Stock Stupid
Jeff/Illinois is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2018, 02:44 PM   #33
quickchange
Senior Member
 
quickchange's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Nelson. New Zealand
Posts: 1,999
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Katy . One out of the bag . Means she is a top lady, maybe an amazing lady, sometimes down under we use different sayings , we could start a whole new thread on them ??
quickchange is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2018, 03:14 PM   #34
Benson
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,577
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

...

Last edited by Benson; 05-12-2018 at 12:24 AM.
Benson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2018, 03:33 PM   #35
Ted Duke
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fairfield, Virginia
Posts: 615
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

"A pearl" in former years.
Ted Duke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2018, 06:30 PM   #36
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,444
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlG View Post
No cutting of the cross member is required.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ok, that would eliminate that as a problem but even sourcing such a coghouse here isn't easy. I'm not aware of any vehicles sold here with the T5 in them. There may well have been but.....
Then fitting it up RHD - Arrgghh! Too hard.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2018, 06:36 PM   #37
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,444
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Quote:
Originally Posted by amodel25 View Post
Double clutching is part of the fun of driving a Model A. Think I'll keep the stock tranny.
One of the advantages of the Mitchell gearbox, I think is the modified ratios for 1st and 2nd gears. I know there are kits out there to give the same ratios in a non synchro box but they are spendy too.
I run 3 Model As, one fitted with the Mitchell synchro gearbox and O/D, the other 2 have standard gearboxes and O/D. I drive those like a 5 speed. High 2nd is a very useful gear, especially when towing. A cable shifter makes things easier too.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2018, 09:22 AM   #38
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 4,992
Default Re: My Mitchell synchro trans experience

Quote:
Originally Posted by quickchange View Post
Katy . One out of the bag . Means she is a top lady, maybe an amazing lady, sometimes down under we use different sayings , we could start a whole new thread on them ??
Thanks, Ken
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:44 PM.