shifting a Mitchell

1930artdeco

1930artdeco

Well-known member
OK, I watched Paul's video and dug around here but I have not been able to answer my question. On a Mitchell there is Hi-N-Lo+plus the ****** gears. So if I understand the sequence right, I drive normally get into 2nd, clutch and put the OD into Hi, then I am in 2nd over. Shift into 3rd and then I am in 3rd over-correct?

I have two questions:
1) What is Lo for in a Mitchell? Is it like 2nd and 1/4?

2) Why would I go from 2nd over to 3rd standard? I have seen some people say that is what they do and am puzzled by it.

Can I just leave the OD engaged and drive around like that? Why would I want to ever take it out of OD-barring engine braking, slow slow traffic etc. I can't wait to test her out!!!!!


Mike
 
I, and I suspect many folks, use second over and third over, which essentially makes a 5-speed Model A ******. Using second over between second and third breaks up that wide gearing gap that is inherent in the Model A standard transmission. Probably not necessary on the flat, but I find that second over is a very useful gear when climbing and descending hills. And of course third over is nice for any speed above say 40 mph, slows the engine rpms down nicely even at speeds less than the freeway.

I have found on occasion that I've come from fast driving, down an offramp and to a stoplight and forgotten to shift out of overdrive. Not the end of the world at all, you will go from first over to second over, which is the same gearing gap as first to second, but at the point you find yourself shifting second over to third over in that situation you may have too tall a gear for controlled streets.

So - flat surface streets, if you don't want to shift too much then certainly first over to second over to third straight might make sense, that way you have reasonable gearing gaps.

Just use it and find what works for you. There is no wrong answer.
 
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2nd to 3rd normal the gear spread is big , 2nd over to 3rd over it seams the big spread is bigger ! When you get to driving 2nd over to 3rd standard will be come easy and a joy ! Think of the OD low gear as a normal standard gear and hi as just overdrive !
 
Artdeco, As the Big Hammer said, Lo in a Mitchell overdrive is direct as if the overdrive was not there.

I am going to go with Jay Jay on this one.
 
In traffic and streets with numerous stoplights I leave it in 2nd and use low and high on the Mitchell. The Mitchell is great in the mountains ,from a stop use 1st , 2nd low then high and then 3 low. Low is standard in all gears.
 
I have a 39 Ford transmission so the 1st and 2nd are 18% higher than the Model A. I use the normal shift pattern and use overdrive over ,40 mph on the highway 2nd +OD on hills or long 30-35 mph zones in town.
Split shifting doesn't seem worth the effort. But I do have a a healthy engine with plenty of power.
 
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Play around with it to find what works for you best in your area and driving style. There is no set way because everywhere is different.

I shift as you said, 1st, 2nd, 2nd High, then 3rd High. If I come to a slight incline I will shift to 3rd Low.
 
Y-Blockhead said:
Play around with it to find what works for you best in your area and driving style. There is no set way because everywhere is different.

I shift as you said, 1st, 2nd, 2nd High, then 3rd High. If I come to a slight incline I will shift to 3rd Low.
Click to expand...
I'm more likely to go first, second, third, third over if it's flat. As an aside, if the ****** and OD are cold I find that it is reluctant to shift from second OD to third straight so I try to avoid that while getting up to speed (I'm using 85-140 in both ****** and OD). I guess I'll get sort of cranky shifting my internal gears when I'm cold and 94 years old. Hell, I'm cranky when I'm cold at 72!
 
Once you get used to the Mitchell, you will see the 2nd OD to 3rd direct as a natural progression, before shifting to 3 OD. It is much less complicated than it seems. Another possibility is to start in 1st direct, immediately shift to 1st OD at around 5 mph, then shift to 2nd OD at around 11-13, and you can pull all the way past 28 mph, even 30 or higher in 2nd OD. But say on a slight downgrade allow you to shift into 3rd OD. skipping 3rd direct. However, if climbing even a slight grade it is easier and faster to shift into 3rd direct, and depending in on topography, decide when to shift into 3rd OD. So if you live and drive in the hills the Mitchell is a good choice.
On the highway basically with a 3.78 rear end you are turning the same rpm at 59 mph as 45 on a standard set up.
 
OK, thank you for the input. I now understand the pattern better and can't wait! I will reinstall the brake rods tonight, tomorrow the rest of the linkage and the floor board. Maybe this weekend I can take her out for a spin.

Mike
 
I leave mine in OD most of the time. If I'm going to start out going up a hill (or getting on the freeway) I'll do the 1-2-2od-3od shift.
 
I've had them for years and never once found a situation where I had to split any gears.In direct it is just a stock Model A.In one car I am running it with 3.54 gears.Once I get the car in high,I get it up to whatever speed I feel is good for the OD and kick it in.I do forget it a lot,and leave it in.The difference in reverse really shows up for me when I try to back it in my shed.It can really fly in reverse in an open area.
 
Katy, The two speed Ruckstell rear end for the Model T has direct and low gears. The reason is that the stock Model T transmission has too low and too high. There is a very wide spread from low to high. The Ruckstell puts a gear between the two by having a low that is 1/2 the gear ratio. So it gives the Model T 4 gears forward. The Ruckstell low is very valuable going up and down grades. Especially down as the stock brakes on a Model T are worthless.
 
I'm running 16" Wheels and a Mitchell. This thing is a blast to drive! I usually stay in low range while the engine is coming up to temperature, after that I'm usually in second Hi.
Go through a turn, drop back to second low. 3 Hi I use over 35mph.
 

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