Any one purchase/use a Mitchell synchronized transmission for their Model A? Results, opinions ? Does the existing "hogshead" work for these? There isn't any appreciable info or any pictures of what you're buying; the website says to order by phone as it can't be ordered online. Kinda strange to have a website with a product for sale, but no further info.
A far better choice in MHO is the RTS? 4 spd out of a 80's Ford truck. Its what I use in my avitar and I really like it. The first three gears are very close to the stock Model A and the 4th is a 27% overdrive. I think the only one still doing them is a guy in Texas. Check on the Ford Barn. I think mine came from Dave Delmue in California. He might still be making them but current info would be on the Barn. There are a lot of old threads that berate Delmue and he had some problems some years back but he has worked out those problems and was very responsive and helpful to me even though I was using one of his I bought used.
Why not just learn how to drive a model A transmission ? They work just fine when you know how to drive. Back in the day...even girls knew how to drive !
Its not hot rods that is the question, the Mitchel is only synchronized, not overdrive, so whats the gain?
@rusty valley Just because it's the same number of gears doesn't mean it's not an upgrade. Look at it like this. Given 2 equal vehicles. One with a synchro transmission and one without, the synchronized vehicle will be faster because it takes less time to shift and reapply power. I know in the grand scheme of things we're not talking about a lot of time here. But as someone who has both, I much prefer driving the 39 trans equipped vehicle. @gatz is there any reason you're not considering a 39 trans swap? Its much cheaper than a Mitchell.
If you call the folks at Mitchell, you will likely speak to one of the Mitchell family. You can have as long a conversation/ask whatever questions you wish. I can’t speak to that transmission, but did have several questions when I purchased my overdrive unit from them. Sure seem to be good people to deal with imho.
it’s not my vehicle, but for a nephew. I grew up shifting all kinds of un-synchronized transmissions; AC, John Deere, Case tractors to name a few. And my older brothers Model A. Yes, I got onto the double clutching because of need. But, I would never recommend a non-synchro if there’s a choice. I’m trying to convince him that if he goes to a more powerful engine upgrade (which he is considering) the stock xmsn is then going to be the shortfall.
That Mitchel is only synchro on 2nd and 3rd so down shifts to 1st need to double clutch ( or stop) the RTS overdrive is a real nice upgrade, Dave Delume did the conversion on both mine and my dads and they are nice I'll try and find some pics if I can
My friend did the Mitchell conversion on 2 of his Model A's.. He likes them. I couldn't see spending that much. I bought the Cling's adapter and put a 39 trans in my Model A for about a 1/3 rd of the cost.
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