Dave Delmue dave4564@msn.com
My Mitchell synchro trans experience
- Thread starter roy green coupe
- Start date
Synchro909
Well-known member
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 ****** and O/D by Mitchell - a good combination.
CarlG
Well-known member
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 ****** and O/D by Mitchell - a good combination.
No cutting of the cross member is required.
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Tinker
Well-known member
I have a 38 truck with a 4sp. All straight gears, love the Mitchell. Works for me.
Roger V
Well-known member
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.
Ernie Vitucci
Well-known member
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
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
California Travieso
Well-known member
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
quickchange
Well-known member
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 ,
Jeff/Illinois
Well-known member
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
quickchange
Well-known member
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 ??
Synchro909
Well-known member
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.
Synchro909
Well-known member
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.
katy
Well-known member
Thanks, Ken
rich40701
Senior Member
I know this is old but just doing a little research and ran across this thread. I drove a 77 Jeep CJ5 for over 10 years and a 76 MG Midget for several and as far as I can remember neither had 1st gear synchronized. I don't remember it being an issue, always dropped it in 1st after stopped at signs, lights etc. Just now got my Mitchell transmission and OD ready to install, excited to see how much it drops my rpm. I could be wrong but isn't it possible to put the OD unit in neutral and then drop transmission into first and then put OD unit back to Hi/Low?
The Master Cylinder
Well-known member
Yes you can "put the OD unit in neutral and then drop transmission into first and then put OD unit back to Hi/Low" but I would do it at a very low speed unless you want to kiss the steering wheel! I usually just put the O/D in neutral and trans in first while coasting to a stop. Then put the O/D in Low when the light turns green. I don't sit at the light with the clutch in.
You are going to love the Mitchell transmission and OD combo. The synchro trans eliminates the big gap between 2nd and 3rd. Most of the time around town I just use 2nd low and high.
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