Spacers on shift rail to prevent breaking shift forks in Model A transmission

[P.S.]

Tina "Model T" Shinn's video today features Steve Mitchell from Mitchell Manufacturing (the outfit who makes the really nice overdrive units for Model As) talking about how he now uses spacers on the shift rail to prevent over-shifting past the detents, to help prevent damage when shifting aggressively.

https://youtu.be/hZKEG5LjTgs?feature=shared&t=1206

That link takes you to the 20 minute mark where Steve talks about it and demonstrates how his idea works. What do you think of that idea? Brilliant? I cannot see any flaws in that logic, can you?

I'm planning on installing the spacers in one of my transmission towers and experimenting. I think it's brilliant.

[Planojc]

I bet he knows where everything is on that work bench.

[JayJay]

I went to Steve and Cindi’s shop in Colusa a couple of weeks ago when I picked up my overdrive. Lots of stuff in very limited space, but there is in fact order to the madness, and yes, he knows precisely where everything is.

[Banditorama]

It makes sense for a racecar like he was talking about in the beginning. But, how often are you really banging through the gears racing down the road in your Model A?

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Banditorama

It makes sense for a racecar like he was talking about in the beginning. But, how often are you really banging through the gears racing down the road in your Model A?

Have you ever taught someone to drive manual in your Model A? Have you ever had your spouse drive your Model A?

[alexiskai]

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[Brentwood Bob]

Good insurance.

[Phil Brown]

Just don't see the need for this, but if it makes you feel better go for it. The wife and all three daughters can drive the A's. When they learned they were taught to let it go into gear when it's ready and not to force it

[Banditorama]

Originally Posted by P.S.

Have you ever taught someone to drive manual in your Model A? Have you ever had your spouse drive your Model A?

The only people I've let drive mine were already proficient in driving a manual.

My experience driving the car is the transmission forces you to slow down your shifts. If you try to bang gears, all it's going to do is grind.

[Brentwood Bob]

I could of used this when I was learning to drive my first model a and mistreated it. Refines the Mitchell syncromesh transmission that steve manufactures. Good on Steve.

[Ruth]

Is breaking a shift fork realy an issue? I have never heard this before. Bending yes, but breaking?

[Brentwood Bob]

I have forks that are bent.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Banditorama

The only people I've let drive mine were already proficient in driving a manual.

My experience driving the car is the transmission forces you to slow down your shifts. If you try to bang gears, all it's going to do is grind.

In a perfect world, that is all that would happen. If I can save a $3,000 transmission with 30 cents worth of spacers, I'm doing it.

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by P.S.

In a perfect world, that is all that would happen. If I can save a $3,000 transmission with 30 cents worth of spacers, I'm doing it.

Is Steve Mitchell now installing these spacers in new Synchro Transmissions or is this an "extra"?

Not sure what $3000 transmission you are referring to, the Mitchell I received in January was only $2150, plus tax and shipping, delivered to my door.

[P.S.]

He is considering installing them in every sync trans shift tower.

I just threw a number out there. I don't know if the spacers cost 30 cents either. That statement was not fake news fact checked for to-the-cent accuracy.

[Brentwood Bob]

.......

[The Master Cylinder]

Originally Posted by Ruth

Is Steve Mitchell now installing these spacers in new Synchro Transmissions or is this an "extra"?

Not sure what $3000 transmission you are referring to, the Mitchell I received in January was only $2150, plus tax and shipping, delivered to my door.

I saw that $3000 price and thought "Wow the price really has gone up". I hope that doesn't make people think twice about buying one.

[CWPASADENA]

Good idea,

We have used spacers on the V-8 transmissions for years to limit the travel of the 2-3 rail to prevent over running the synchronizer assembly.

Chris W.