Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-25-2021, 10:04 PM   #1
whirnot
Senior Member
 
whirnot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Bend Or.
Posts: 1,053
Default Mitchell OD with touring engine

Today I was coming home in my CCPU, still fairly new to me about 300 miles since I finished it. It has a stock motor with the exception of a 5.5 Head.

I have a 26% Mitchell which I love and use constantly as a gear splitter, this too is my first OD.

I am wondering if a 36% might suit me better for a touring car I am contemplating.

I am planning a touring motor, 6.1 head , Touring Cam, Counterbalanced crank, lightened flywheel, bigger valves, etc.

Although I think the 26% will give me plenty of top speed, I am wondering if the 36% would split the second to third gap closer to center, making it a better mid range, and hill climbing car.

Anyone have the touring engine, 36% combination with 3.78 gears that would care to comment?
__________________
Bill Worden

1929 Roadster
1929 Briggs Town Sedan
1930 Closed Cab pickup
Smith Motor Compressor
1951 Ford F1

High Desert Model A's
whirnot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2021, 06:25 PM   #2
Mike Peters
Senior Member
 
Mike Peters's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: South East Wisconsin
Posts: 1,279
Default Re: Mitchell OD with touring engine

I have run a Borg Warner OD for years with a stock engine. The Borg OD is a 33% increase. It pulled a bit hard, IMO. The engine was never quite up to the task. Then I installed a 26% Mitchell and all was well. and the engine now handles it well, 50 MPH is no longer a challenge. A 36% OD, to me is pushing any engine with only 3 main bearings. If your present 26% OD is working well, then maybe you you stay with that? Just my opinion.
Mike Peters is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 03-26-2021, 06:37 PM   #3
Jack Shaft
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: Mitchell OD with touring engine

Changed my car by running 30.5" tires and wheels on the rear..how about a 3.54 with the 26%?..changing overdrive ratio is just one way to change the outcome..
Jack Shaft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2021, 06:44 PM   #4
oldredford
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Moncks Corner, SC
Posts: 439
Default Re: Mitchell OD with touring engine

The only way I would run a 36% is with 4.11 gears.
oldredford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2021, 06:51 PM   #5
whirnot
Senior Member
 
whirnot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Bend Or.
Posts: 1,053
Default Re: Mitchell OD with touring engine

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Shaft View Post
Changed my car by running 30.5" tires and wheels on the rear..how about a 3.54 with the 26%?..changing overdrive ratio is just one way to change the outcome..
I am also trying to get the 2nd over split a little higher, changing the gears doesn't do that.
__________________
Bill Worden

1929 Roadster
1929 Briggs Town Sedan
1930 Closed Cab pickup
Smith Motor Compressor
1951 Ford F1

High Desert Model A's
whirnot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2021, 06:52 PM   #6
whirnot
Senior Member
 
whirnot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Bend Or.
Posts: 1,053
Default Re: Mitchell OD with touring engine

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Peters View Post
I have run a Borg Warner OD for years with a stock engine. The Borg OD is a 33% increase. It pulled a bit hard, IMO. The engine was never quite up to the task. Then I installed a 26% Mitchell and all was well. and the engine now handles it well, 50 MPH is no longer a challenge. A 36% OD, to me is pushing any engine with only 3 main bearings. If your present 26% OD is working well, then maybe you you stay with that? Just my opinion.
This is on a different car, and should be pushing close to 60hp.
__________________
Bill Worden

1929 Roadster
1929 Briggs Town Sedan
1930 Closed Cab pickup
Smith Motor Compressor
1951 Ford F1

High Desert Model A's
whirnot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2021, 06:55 PM   #7
Y-Blockhead
Senior Member
 
Y-Blockhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,817
Default Re: Mitchell OD with touring engine

I would go for the Mitchell 26% O/D with the Mitchell 15% 1st and 2nd synchro trans. I love spending other peoples money...
Y-Blockhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2021, 08:51 PM   #8
whirnot
Senior Member
 
whirnot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Bend Or.
Posts: 1,053
Default Re: Mitchell OD with touring engine

Quote:
Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead View Post
I would go for the Mitchell 26% O/D with the Mitchell 15% 1st and 2nd synchro trans. I love spending other peoples money...
That would actually be the best solution, but alas, is not in the budget. I have the synchro trans in another car, which I went with the standard first, 15% increased second. I really like that combo. Then add the 26% should nail it. So I guess I will stick with the 26% and maybe some day, I could add the tranny.
__________________
Bill Worden

1929 Roadster
1929 Briggs Town Sedan
1930 Closed Cab pickup
Smith Motor Compressor
1951 Ford F1

High Desert Model A's
whirnot is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:18 AM.