Installing a Mitchell Overdrive

[waxhead]

I am planning on installing a Mitchell Overdrive in the future. Are there any other parts people recommend replacing at the time of installation that are not included with the overdrive?? It is not very easy or fast for me to get Model A parts where I live, so I want to make sure I have everything ready when I get around to doing the installation. Any recommendations appreciated. Thanks

[larrys40]

make sure you have a u-joint gasket kit.... and your U-joint is good... and of course if your rear axle needs rebuilding at the same time that it is done. If it is good then great. I would never put a Mitchell in a rear axle that has NOT been rebuilt properly.

Of course brakes should also be paramount and up to snuff. Other than that Mitchell supplies everything for the conversion in their package. They have it honed down well and I can promise you will be pleased. It makes it a new car ( or truck).
Larry Shepard

[waxhead]

Larry, I recently upgraded the brakes, new cast iron drums, brake shoes, Ted's floater kit etc

I also recently did the rear axle when I installed a new gear set (3.54:1). I have a freshly built touring engine with HC head, counterbalanced crank etc so I am confident the 26% over drive and 3.54:1 gears should work well from what I have read on here.

I might grab a new u-joint just in-case. Thanks for the response. Any other suggestions??

[Benson]

Pinion gear puller ...

Mitchell used to rent them.

[CarlG]

Mitchell has re-designed their pinion puller and now sell them fairly reasonable. Absolutely worth having.

[Brentwood Bob]

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tall jack stands to get the rear end up in the air.
Bob

[Tom Endy]

For reasons of safety you should acquire and use a proper spring spreader.

Tom Endy

[apbright]

I am an amateur mechanic, and have installed two Mitchell Overdrive's (and man, do I love them, but that's another story).

An obvious thing to replace would be the clutch disk, but that requires removing the transmission, the bell housing, and the pressure plate, none of which are necessary for installing the overdrive (you're just near that working area when doing so).

You may wish to replace the main speedometer cable, in case your original is rough or worn.

For the first Mitchell I installed, I fashioned a pinion puller from a small, thick piece of sheet metal, and damaged the pinion bearing cup doing so. The second time I used a pinion puller tool I bought from Snyder's (made by Mitchell, I believe), and everything went much more smoothly and quickly. This is a ~$80 investment I recommend.

Beyond that, to quote 'Yes, Prime Minister,' "There are many things you can do, but nothing else you must do. You're the boss!"

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by apbright

... The second time I used a pinion puller tool I bought from Snyder's (made by Mitchell, I believe), ... This is a ~$80 investment I recommend...

I have both a pinion puller I bought from Snyder's and one I bought from Mitchell. The one from Mitchell is heftier than the one from Snyder's.

Having said that, whatever works for you. The price is about the same for either tool.

[waxhead]

Thanks to everyone for the input.

[sphanna]

The snyder pinion puller I got from Snyders was not strong enough to pull the pinion. I had to drill and tap 3 more holes for three more bolts to keep from bending the tool.

[RUNNERBUN]

Originally Posted by larrys40

make sure you have a u-joint gasket kit.... and your U-joint is good... and of course if your rear axle needs rebuilding at the same time that it is done. If it is good then great. I would never put a Mitchell in a rear axle that has NOT been rebuilt properly.

Of course brakes should also be paramount and up to snuff. Other than that Mitchell supplies everything for the conversion in their package. They have it honed down well and I can promise you will be pleased. It makes it a new car ( or truck).
Larry Shepard

I recently installed a Mitchell Overdrive. The universal Gasket set and gasket for pinion end came in the box with my overdrive. You don't get the actual universal joint.

[waxhead]

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/pi...tallation-tool

I think I might grab the one above. Appears to be better than the one below.

I am guessing the one below is the one people have said is not up to the task.

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/pinion-puller

[Brentwood Bob]

Install kit that comes with the overdrive includes a speedometer cable.
The more elaborate pinion puller looks like the mitchell I have.
You might ask about the correct mount for your pickup the clearance from the top of the shift arm casting has to clear the floorboard. Mitchell has a modified casting.
Bob

[waxhead]

Bob, thanks for the info on the shift arm casting.

[Brentwood Bob]

Mitchell is just 4 hours north of me, so it was easy to exchange the mounting.
Bob

[sphanna]

Waxhead

You are correct. The second one in your post is not up to the task.

[Stew]

I also just installed a Mitchell overdrive in my 31 Tudor. I built a rolling mount with two connected dollies to support the rear axel and the front of the torque tube. There are several versions I have seen. This dollie makes the installation much easier.

Also you need two thin wrenches to set the preload of the pinion bearing.
Snyders part # A-4634-T

Regards,

Stew

[pat in Santa Cruz]

you might want a rubber bellows to slip over your new shift lever

[Hoogah]

You might consider replacing your rear bushes when you detach the spring. Mine were worn and I had to destroy one of them to remove it.
X2 on all the comments on getting the sturdiest puller you can. The Snyder one that I borrowed bent during the process.
Enjoy your Mitchell. You'll join the "Aah!" Club the first time you slip it into overdrive! Overdrive 2nd is also a great ratio.