Ultimate Model A O/D

'Ultimate Model A O/D' ?

So, It has been a few years now, but how many of you can still get parts for your 1928 Whippet ? Or your 1939 DeSoto ? Or your 1928 Ford, or your 1939 Ford ?

With a few years 'under our belt' - which is the easier transmission to get parts for - the Whippet or the Ford?

The same things applies with an Over Drive unit for our Model A's. Ten or fifteen years from now, which will be easier to get parts for, and find someone familiar with, your Model A over-drive unit ?

I suspect that there will be legions who are familiar with the Mitchel O/D, and very few who are familiar or who have parts for the 'Ultimate Model A O/D.

Having had both the joy AND the sorrow of owning and driving with a Columbia Rear End (a 1938, I think it was) in my 1930 Ford Coupe (40 years ago), I can tell you that getting parts for it is a '*****', compared to the relative easy of getting both parts and an understanding mechanic to work on a Mitchell O/D. I suspect that the 'Ultimate' will be more like the Columbia than the Mitchell.

Ofcourse there are always exceptions, but as a general rule, it is generally best to avoid 'Brand X' products. If I were you, I would wait a few years to see how the "Ultimate' works out. Anything new has a risk - is it to be an 'Edsel' or a Mustang. The one was a failure, the other a major winner. But it takes a gambler to risk something new.

- Doug Vieyra
 
That "Ultimate O/D" is just a Ford toploader four speed (O/D version) with a Jeep top cover for the floor shifter; junkyard items tho not quite as easy to find these days. Parts (bearings, synchros, seals, forks, even gears) are available aftermarket.
 
Mitchell could close its doors and be out of business tomorrow. Then what? Will anyone make Mitchell proprietary parts available to service the couple of thousand units presently in service? I doubt it. Does anyone stock Mitchell serviceable parts now? Nope.
Rebuilder parts for Ford toploader four speeds will be available for a long , long time. That tranmission was used in so many applications. Any good transmission shop has parts available , in stock now and on their shelves. And will be for years to come.
 
There was once a time when Mitchell was "brand x" also. Yet, people bought their products and look at them now.
 
The Mitchel OD doesn't give you a syncro trans. I built my own "ultimate" from a '84 to '87 ford trans. I love it! BTW, The trans used (although it loads from the top) is not the famous Ford "top loader" with a cast iron case, it is a Ford RTS with an aluminum case. Both have good reviews but I love to "downshift at any speed!" Ron W
 
quickchange said:
Buy a Mitchell , the only way to go ,
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Thanks to all that responded. I wasn't thinking of buying one, I just ran across it and was wondering if anyone had one or heard of them.

I've been saving my bottle and can recycle money for a Mitchell... :rolleyes: But it is nice to know there is a alternitive
 
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Member Ken Parker has been building those same set ups for years and has several out there. The only proprietary parts are easily made by any competent machinist. The transmissions are getting a little scarce but they can still be found, I have a couple laying in the shed. The nice thing about these units is you don't have to butcher the stock frame member like with many other conversions. Anyone with some mechanical know how and access to a machine shop could do one of these for cheap.
 
I just for the first time browsed through that Web site and found it quite interesting. Frankly, if I had to start over again, I would just buy a 5-speed and have the best of both worlds. I know this is not an option for the purist, but neither a '39, Mitchell transmission, or Ford 4-speed, nor any of the overdrive units.
 
I don't like dealing with a company that wont list prices. Reminds me of a swap meet, you look nice so the asking price starts higher.
 
john in illinois said:
I have used Dave's kit for 20,000 miles in my Tudor. Good product and drop in fit with no frame or brake mods.

John
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I don't quite have 20K miles on mine, but I love it. Like John said, it is a completely bolt in kit, no alterations to your car (except for minor floor-board changes in the wood). It is also uses production Ford parts that are still readily available, although I doubt I will ever have to.

Dave builds a First Class unit.

jkeesey said:
I don't like dealing with a company that wont list prices. Reminds me of a swap meet, you look nice so the asking price starts higher.
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He had prices listed when I bought mine, but that's been several years ago.
 
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It does look interesting. Do the front radius arms mount is the same position on the bell housing? What are the gear ratios? Is first gear synchro also?

Wish they had more info on the website. But then again Mitchell doesn't even have a website and not much info on it either.
 
There should be a casting number "260XXXX" on the right side of the transmission there should be a riveted metal tag with the first three letters "RTS" followed by two letters which will identify the OD ratio. See chart below of the decoding.


 

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  • F150 OD chart.jpg
    F150 OD chart.jpg
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Carl, excellent!! Thanks for the info. I'm not ready to purchase an O/D yet (Read lack of funds) but that is probably a good thing now that I see there are choices.

I find that what I really need is a gear between 2nd and 3rd and a synchro 2nd for downshifting. I do most of my driving around town.

Carl, another question. With the shifter moved back it should also improve "leg clearance". True? I have long legs and I find it difficult to step on the brakes while in first.
 
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