The transmission on our MICHIGAN is a 3 forward speed and one reverse “H” pattern transmission. The “H” refers to the pattern the shifter follows.

I consolidated several pages of information in the 1912 MICHIGAN Parts List that I have into the image below.  It represents the internal operation of the transmission and calls out the various parts by the designated names.  I note that this is a “CRASH BOX” type transmission. If you peer into the lubrication hatch on our car, you will see that the nice crisp leading edges of the gears are somewhat munched and tapered from grinding them in and out of gear. Syncro-mesh (little slippy tapered sets of gears to match speed and guide bigger gears into position) was not invented until 1928, and appeared in Cadillacs and LaSalles of that year. Up until then…… gear shift transmissions made a grinding noise if not shifted with precise timing and speed.  {Note to folks with Ford Model Ts: The 2 speed Ford transmission avoided this problem entirely with its bands and planetary gear drum system. You do, however, get the opportunity to replace band fabric every so often.} Here is the annotated MICHIGAN (probably FULLER) transmission:

Annotated MICHIGAN (Fuller) transmission schematic for both 30 hp & 40 hp models

Here is a somewhat less complicated annotated photograph of our transmission taken while I was replacing and refurbishing several shafts in November of 2021. For more information, you may wish to visit the Blog at:https://michiganmotorcar.com/transmission-out-lets-make-a-new-gear-shaft/

Annotated Michigan transmission photo. CLICK TO ENLARGE

The photos below show the transmission disconnected from the clutch and double universal joints that connect it to the drive train and engine.

Transmission top side clean – July 13, 2016

You can observe that the outline of our transmission is substantially similar to the one advertised below by the MICHIGAN AUTOMOBILE COMPANY — NOT THE MICHIGAN BUGGY COMPANY OR MICHIGAN MOTOR CAR COMPANY.  Michigan Automobile Company was the manufacturer of a different automobile circa 1903 -1907. This was a venture by the Blood family and the Fuller family. The Fullers left the auto manufacturing business and concentrated on transmissions, but still kept the Michigan Automobile Company name until 1913. Confusing, isn’t it. Oh…… and the Fuller’s had their business located in Kalamazoo as well.  REALLY confusing.

Michigan Automobile Company Transmission Ad – circa 1911

Here is a photo of the transmission in Mike Howard’s 1912 Model K. Note the gear selector lever and brake lever differ from ours, but the top of the transmission is exactly what appears in the ad above. The casting and bolt patterns match exactly.

Mike Howard’s Model K transmission & levers

Articles in contemporary auto magazines noted the confusion and the decision to finally change the name of the transmission company in 1912, to Fuller & Sons Manufacturing. Fuller & Sons Manufacturing later became FULLER TRANSMISSIONS which was acquired by the company that is now EATON CORPORATION, during the Great Depression sometime in 1932. That company exists today and there remains a Fuller Transmission division for heavy truck transmissions within Eaton Corp.

Confusing name finally changed. CLICK TO ENLARGE