Synchromesh or Overdrive

G

GerryAllen

Senior Member
Folks, I use my car as a daily driver, my shifting is OK and I have a high speed rear end.
My question is if you had a choice of either a synchro transmission or an overdrive set up for your car which would be your choice and why.
If you chime in as neither that is OK but explain why.

Gerry, Birch Bay WA
 
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Re: Synchromesh or Overdrive

I would shoot for both. OD's are especially nice if you drive the interstate. My choice would be the S-10 Chevy (T-5). They come in several different ratios, for 1st gear and for 5th, which is OD. They shift far easier than an early V8. Mine has the 4:1 1st gear which is way lower than I like, so don't always use, and the 26% 5th gear, which is really nice.
 
Re: Synchromesh or Overdrive

The Ford 4-speed OD also has the best of both worlds.


Bob
 

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Re: Synchromesh or Overdrive

I went back and forth on this for quite awhile. Decided s10 t5 overdrive. I also use mine as a daily driver..
 
Re: Synchromesh or Overdrive

What is a high speed rear end? Can you drive 60 continuously?

I have the Borg Warner OD and use it on the freeway, but rarely on surface streets. It makes 60mph feel like 45 as far as engine noise. I have had it up to 70, but this is pushing the limits of the suspension and breaks. It does not feel good above 60.

A synchronized trans would be nice, I rarely down shift to 2nd unless going around 15mph. If going above 15, 3rd pulls through okay.
 
I ran a 354 R&P for years in my Victoria then I installed a Mitchell overdrive. it was great going down hill or on flat ground but any kind of incline at all it did not have enough power to pull it. my 4 door had a 354 in it. I pulled the overdrive out of the Victoria, changed the gears in the 4 door to 378 installed the overdrive in it. and man it is real nice now. so in less you have some horse power. you might not be happy
 
Neither. I have 3.54 gears in my '31 RDPU and it runs well at 55. Much above 55 the fenders start to lift the front of the car and I don't want to go there. Of course the tires are not coming off of the ground but the steering is too light and I don't feel safe much above 55. A canyon intersecting the highway with a wind or a passing semi pushing a headwind is a real "E" ticket ride. Shifting?, I am used to it and it has never bothered me.

Charlie Stephens
 
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Gary,
Of our 4 Model A's, the set up I like to drive best is a very stock car with a Michell overdrive. One of our A's has a Mitchell transmission & Michell overdrive, another has a '39 Ford transmission & Mitchell OD, then a stock transmission & Mitchell OD and the last has a stock transmission without an OD. For me, part of the fun of driving a Model A is handling the stock transmission. With a Mitchell overdrive you can use it's synchro to do any normal shift in the transmission that you need/want to. At some point it comes down to... ...do you want to drive a Model A or something that looks like a Model A.
As always your mileage will very!
Random ROG
 
I have a Town Sedan, with the 3.78 rear end and a Mitchell OD. I love the combination, and treat the OD as really a badly needed 4th gear. It is so easy to use....I use it much more than on the freeway....whenever I am on surface streets, as soon as I hit over 40 mph, I shift into OD...it’s just like an extra gear. I also enjoy the experience of shifting a stock Model A transmission, so for me, this combination is the best of all worlds....besides effortless cruising at 60 mph.
 
I have a T5 with a 3.78 rear and a Police Head (5.5 CR); it's out of an S10. Climbs most hills in 5th gear at speed limit. Shifts easy in all gears and easy to downshift within a reasonable RPM. Easy to maintain 55 MPH with low RPM... danger of 55+ is going beyond capability of my current braking system. I have no other experience with other transmissions in the "A", but LOVE this one!!
 
I run 4.11's with my Colombia, and recommend the same with the Mitchell. It's the overall ratio that matters, somewhere 2.90 and 3:1 seem to work best for most Model A's.
 
Jim Brierley said:
I run 4.11's with my Colombia, and recommend the same with the Mitchell. It's the overall ratio that matters, somewhere 2.90 and 3:1 seem to work best for most Model A's.
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Jim and I agree; I have the same 4:11 behind a 26% Mitchell in my Phaeton. We have put over 90,000 miles on it and after all those miles, I would not want anything different.
Good Day!

www.durableperformance.net
 
The Ford F150syncromesh 4 spd transmission with OD is the way to go. You won't have to alter the frame cross member to install this transmission. You can keep the closed driveshaft and manual brakes. And the first three ratios in this transmission are nearly identical to the Model A ratios. If you need more information on this conversion, search this forum for "F150 conversion". There is one person still making bolt-in kits for this conversion, his name is Dave Delume.
 
Almost through with one of Dave's kit's for my dads car and can't wait to drive it . Instillation was real straight forward and everything fit great. His kit includes EVERYTHING that you need to get it installed.
Super easy to deal with and he took the time to answer all of our questions about the trans and it's install. It was also ready on the day that he said it would be :)
 

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Phil, wait till you drive it, its great. I have 3,200 miles this year on Daves unit.

Cruising at 60-65 is at 2000-2100 rpm.
 
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