Mitchell Syncro Transmission with a 3:54 Ring and Pinion

[spdway1]

Does anyone run a Michell Syncro Transmission with a 3:54 (high speed)Ring and Pinion?

What is the outcome and is worth the money?

Thank you.
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[Patrick L.]

The Mitchell transmitter is said to be a good unit like their other products. This transmission still is direct in high gear as other transmissions,but is available in a couple different 1st and 2nd gear ratios. [ I think thats a good thing]
The 3:54 rear gear will give about 4-5 mph more cruise speed at the same engine speed.

[waxhead]

I have both and like it. The synchro gear box is easier to drive and as stated above, the 3.54 ring and pinion gives an increase of 5mph (or thereabouts) at the same revs.

Is it worth the money?? Depends on what you want. Some people are of the opinion that the synchros detract from the "A" driving experience. Each to their own.

[Synchro909]

In one of my cars, I run the Mitchell Synchro transmission and overdrive (26%) with the standard diff ratio and I love it for touring or around town. Unless your motor is a dog, you will pull the 3.54 ratio easily enough and if it is any good at all, you'd handle the O/D as well.
I'm about to put 16" wheels on another car so I'll use a 3.54 diff in it to compensate for the smaller wheels. I will probably be unable to resist trying the original wheels with that setupp before I put the 16" ones on.
In short, I don;t think you'll be disappointed with the change till you put an O/D in as well.

[Jim Brierley]

I would recommend a 4.11 or 3.78 at the highest with any O.D. With anything higher you will be lugging the engine witch will cause damage to it, plus your top speed will actually be lower!

[Benson]

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I have had 3.54's for 25 years, recently added the 15%/15% Mitchell synchro transmission.

I agree with Jim B on 4.11 / 3.78 with OD. I finally put 6.00 16s on the Coupe to lower the rear gear ratio.

Even with the smaller tires it is still too tall a gear especially on long uphill mountain roads with lots of switchbacks.


This problem gets much worse when you go 10,000 to 12,000 feet; this is when you really needed the RPMs to make up for the lack of air.

As for the Mitchel transmission ... definitely get the 15/15 model.

The higher 1st and 2nd is a delight to drive especially around town ... I love it!

I drove the Coupe for 40,000 miles on the same mountain roads from 1962 to 1966 with a 4.11 rear-end. It was a vastly different car compared to the 3.54s.


Still have not decided on 4.11 or 3.78 yet.

Additional info added 03-22-2016


I got the 26% OD and changed rear from 3.54 to 3.78.

The lower 3.78 gears are so much better than the 3.54s.

Much better combination and OD slows down RPMs and noise is lower above 55 MPH.

[spdway1]

I do not want to put a Mitchell Overdrive in. What I am deciding on is doing an f150 transmission or a Mitchell syncro trans with a 3:54 ring and pinion. Please no extra shift lever.

[CarlG]

I think what he was trying to say was:
1) Mitchel Synchro Transmission + 3:54 R&P
OR
2) F150 OD Transmission (presumably with the standard 3:78 R&P)

[Benson]

If I remember correctly there are several F-150 transmissions that have been used in Model A with different gear sets.


Some have very low ratios approaching "Granny gears" in 1st gear (lower than Model As 3.12). Which might make 1st gear not so desirable.

[spdway1]

Originally Posted by CarlG

I think what he was trying to say was:
1) Mitchel Synchro Transmission + 3:54 R&P
OR
2) F150 OD Transmission (presumably with the standard 3:78 R&P)

YES, thank you.

[dr.j]

I run a Mitchel with higher 1st and 2nd with the 3.54 rear gear set. A perfect combo in my opinion. I ran it at 48 to 50 mph from home to French Lick last year for over 2,000 return miles and many more since. I like the syncro and I like to drive her like she was stolen.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by forever4

Umm, 48-50 mph is the typical speed on any/every Model A, including my Fordor with 4.11. (for that matter, I run my stock Fordor at 65mph with 4.11 direct on flat interstate.)

Wow, how do you keep the centre main bearing in it?? Maybe it is pressure fed. I've found by experience anything over 45-48 mph risks expensive repairs.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Thinking like, MORE or HIGHER is BETTER, it's easy to get a car OVER GEARED!
Friend, Hurshel, built a '46 Ford Tudor, with a '54 Lincoln engine, out of a big Ford Truck, 26 tooth Zephyer trans gears, 3:54 rear end & 8:20 tires! That sucker would go 1/2 the way to the COAST in SECOND gear!! SECOND gear was his PASSING GEAR!!---Gas mileage was TERRBLE.
Bill W.

[Lanty]

So spdway1 did you ever make a decision? I would love to hear how it worked out.


I too have been contemplating a very similar decision. I was thinking about a Mitchell syncto trans with a 3.54 or even 3.27 ring and pinion. I’m building a strong touring engine as we speak.


I just don’t know what 1 st and 2 nd would feel like with a 3.27 or if you get the 15% increased 1 st and 2 nd transmission option combined with the 3.27...Would it be too tall of a gear combo? I should have the power so lugging isn’t my concern.

[1929]

I have the Mitchel Synchro and the 3.54

[Del in NE Ohio]

I have F-150 4 speed and 3:54 ring/pinion with 16" wheels on my '31 CCPU. The O/D in this trans is .78 (Mitchell O/D is .74) I feel it is the best of both worlds.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

My 29 coupe has the Mitchell overdrive and stock 3:78 rear gears and with the Snyder 5.5 head and a touring cam I find that to be the most economical arrangement and encountering steep hills in high it is easy and quick to downshift overdrive to stock gearing and keep the rpms up,not lugging the engine. It easily runs at 55 on the level and I feel the stock narrow wheels are the only things that limit the handling. Going to 16" x 6.50 or equivalent radials would improve the high speed handling. Remember these things weren't made for high speeds anyway.

[1929]

Originally Posted by Barry B./ Ma.

My 29 coupe has the Mitchell overdrive and stock 3:78 rear gears and with the Snyder 5.5 head and a touring cam I find that to be the most economical arrangement and encountering steep hills in high it is easy and quick to downshift overdrive to stock gearing and keep the rpms up,not lugging the engine. It easily runs at 55 on the level and I feel the stock narrow wheels are the only things that limit the handling. Going to 16" x 6.50 or equivalent radials would improve the high speed handling. Remember these things weren't made for high speeds anyway.

I switched to the 16s, handles great, much better ride.