The Ford Barn

shiftybusiness3 · 09-23-2017, 02:40 PM

I have a 1929 Roadster that has a Mitchell synchromesh transmission along with a Mitchell overdrive unit. I also have a 1931 Pick-up truck with the standard/stock running gear. My question is: Can I transfer/swap the 1929 transmission and overdrive into the truck...and the standard 1931 truck running gear into the 1929 Roadster? Are the two vehicle years compatible or will I need additional parts or ? How hard would the swap be to make? I would like to sell the Roadster and make the truck more 'user-friendly'. Thanks a bunch.

Tom Endy · 09-23-2017, 02:49 PM

You can do it, we have done it several times. it is all interchangeable. The only thing you have to consider is the U-joint housing. The Mitchell transmission in your 29 has a rear bearing retainer on it that matches the U-joint housing. The early cars had a bearing retainer with off-set bolt holes. The later are symmetrical. Move the U-joint housing with the Mitchell and you will be ok.

The Mitchell overdrive configuration is the same for a 31 pick up and a 29 roadster.

Tom Endy

shiftybusiness3 · 09-24-2017, 12:46 AM

Thank you, Tom.

larrys40 · 09-24-2017, 02:07 AM

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agree with Tom but with a caveat that if both have stock engine mounts great, hopefully they do as the float a motor mounts may have the rear mount attached to the u-joint cap , also the early u-joint housings may have a lip on them. If that's the case on the 29 I would be inclined to keep the u-joint housing (both halves) with the 29 and in that case you would be removing the rear trans bearing retainers.
Also, don't get parts mixed up on rear spring hanger clamps as the roadster is thicker than the pickup or should be as it only has a 7 leaf spring.

If you keep the springs in and just change rear axle you will of course need a spring spreader to do that keeping the springs in place and just changing the rear axle which is the safest way. If you have availability for two rear spring spreaders it will make the job a little easier as you can keep them spread while making the swap/

Larry Shepard

09-23-2017, 02:40 PM	#1
shiftybusiness3 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 3	Mitchell transmission & overdrive swap I have a 1929 Roadster that has a Mitchell synchromesh transmission along with a Mitchell overdrive unit. I also have a 1931 Pick-up truck with the standard/stock running gear. My question is: Can I transfer/swap the 1929 transmission and overdrive into the truck...and the standard 1931 truck running gear into the 1929 Roadster? Are the two vehicle years compatible or will I need additional parts or ? How hard would the swap be to make? I would like to sell the Roadster and make the truck more 'user-friendly'. Thanks a bunch.

09-23-2017, 02:49 PM	#2
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Mitchell transmission & overdrive swap You can do it, we have done it several times. it is all interchangeable. The only thing you have to consider is the U-joint housing. The Mitchell transmission in your 29 has a rear bearing retainer on it that matches the U-joint housing. The early cars had a bearing retainer with off-set bolt holes. The later are symmetrical. Move the U-joint housing with the Mitchell and you will be ok. The Mitchell overdrive configuration is the same for a 31 pick up and a 29 roadster. Tom Endy

09-24-2017, 12:46 AM	#3
shiftybusiness3 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 3	Re: Mitchell transmission & overdrive swap Thank you, Tom.

09-24-2017, 02:07 AM	#4
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: Mitchell transmission & overdrive swap Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) agree with Tom but with a caveat that if both have stock engine mounts great, hopefully they do as the float a motor mounts may have the rear mount attached to the u-joint cap , also the early u-joint housings may have a lip on them. If that's the case on the 29 I would be inclined to keep the u-joint housing (both halves) with the 29 and in that case you would be removing the rear trans bearing retainers. Also, don't get parts mixed up on rear spring hanger clamps as the roadster is thicker than the pickup or should be as it only has a 7 leaf spring. If you keep the springs in and just change rear axle you will of course need a spring spreader to do that keeping the springs in place and just changing the rear axle which is the safest way. If you have availability for two rear spring spreaders it will make the job a little easier as you can keep them spread while making the swap/ Larry Shepard