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 05-10-2023, 05:40 PM   #1
MickyD
Senior Member
 
MickyD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Welcome NC
Posts: 207
Default Mitchell overdrive.

Got my Mitchell overdrive installed in my 31 Tudor. It drove better than it ever has for me. Drove it 60 miles and it drove better than my 2021 pickup. I will be driving my Tudor a lot more. Best investment I have ever made.
MickyD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2023, 05:55 PM   #2
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,496
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

I have posted before that I have 4 Model As and all of them have a Mitchell unit in them. I agree, they transform the car. My most used one also has one of their synchronised gearboxes. It is the car I use when towing the camper. High second is a very handy gear when doing that, especially since I learned how to move from high second to standard third gear in the one action (pull both levers back together).
Money well spent.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 05-10-2023, 06:30 PM   #3
Lawrie
Senior Member
 
Lawrie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Qld, Australia
Posts: 4,218
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Arnold, what diff ratio are you using.
Lawrie
Lawrie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2023, 07:30 PM   #4
nkaminar
Senior Member
 
nkaminar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,900
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

I have the Mitchell overdrive too and love it. My rear end is the standard 3.78 but in overdrive it is very close to 3.00 to 1. I too will use second over then third standard and the reverse when down shifting for grades or lower speeds.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky.
Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die.
Forget the brakes, they really don't work.
The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk.
My car grows red hair, and flies through the air.
Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.
nkaminar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2023, 08:16 PM   #5
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,496
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lawrie View Post
Arnold, what diff ratio are you using.
Lawrie
Lawrie, 3.78. I find it works well with the extra drag of the camper at 50 mph. We often talk of us travelling together half way around the country in 2014
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2023, 08:17 PM   #6
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,496
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
Originally Posted by nkaminar View Post
I have the Mitchell overdrive too and love it. My rear end is the standard 3.78 but in overdrive it is very close to 3.00 to 1. I too will use second over then third standard and the reverse when down shifting for grades or lower speeds.
Where is the "LIKE" button?
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2023, 09:25 PM   #7
Lawrie
Senior Member
 
Lawrie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Qld, Australia
Posts: 4,218
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Yes good times, Im putting a Mitchel in my pickup, it has the 3.54,
Lawrie
Lawrie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2023, 10:34 PM   #8
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,496
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lawrie View Post
Yes good times, Im putting a Mitchel in my pickup, it has the 3.54,
Lawrie
L, Wow, Knowing how well that engine goes, you'd better be careful - there are speed limits.
That said, I had my Burtz over 107 a couple of days ago. Just as well the cops weren't around!
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2023, 05:55 AM   #9
jack backer
BANNED
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Chenango Bridge NY
Posts: 433
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

5 to 55 mph in one synchronized shift.. makes a modified engine fun… it’s a great anti theft device too.. two sticks and a clutch? forget it
jack backer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2023, 11:02 AM   #10
nkaminar
Senior Member
 
nkaminar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,900
Talking Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Arnold, 107 mph. That's phenomenal.
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky.
Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die.
Forget the brakes, they really don't work.
The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk.
My car grows red hair, and flies through the air.
Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.
nkaminar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2023, 11:08 AM   #11
jack backer
BANNED
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Chenango Bridge NY
Posts: 433
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nkaminar View Post
arnold, 107 mph. That's phenomenal. :d
kph.. remember in the 70’s when they tried to get us to convert? These guys actually did..
jack backer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2023, 11:34 AM   #12
ModelA29
Senior Member
 
ModelA29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: SoCal
Posts: 591
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
L, Wow, Knowing how well that engine goes, you'd better be careful - there are speed limits.
That said, I had my Burtz over 107 a couple of days ago. Just as well the cops weren't around!
We putt putted en masse to breakfast the other day. Wife had things to do when we got home so it was 70mph on the freeway home. Sounds like I need a Burtz too......
ModelA29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2023, 10:13 AM   #13
Brendan
Senior Member
 
Brendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca
Posts: 2,903
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
I have posted before that I have 4 Model As and all of them have a Mitchell unit in them. I agree, they transform the car. My most used one also has one of their synchronised gearboxes. It is the car I use when towing the camper. High second is a very handy gear when doing that, especially since I learned how to move from high second to standard third gear in the one action (pull both levers back together).
Money well spent.
I cut my shifter down, its about in inch longer then the Mitchel shifter, i split second and 3rd gear all the time, i shift 5 times from a stop
__________________
If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya!

i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!
Brendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2023, 11:05 AM   #14
jack backer
BANNED
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Chenango Bridge NY
Posts: 433
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brendan View Post
I cut my shifter down, its about in inch longer then the Mitchel shifter, i split second and 3rd gear all the time, i shift 5 times from a stop
Had some aluminum round stock , 1”, extended the Mitchell stick.

I can stay in high range all the time for best acceleration..usual driving just split second..split third on grades..I’m running about double stock engine power..
Attached Images
File Type: jpg A875889D-A459-4478-9801-4A6103480C92.jpg (57.2 KB, 103 views)
jack backer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2023, 01:18 PM   #15
Model A Ron
Senior Member
 
Model A Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Troutman, NC
Posts: 717
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

I have had mine for about 2 years and love it. My Phaeton can do 55 all day long and faster if needed. I have found 2nd high to be great and I do think this is the number one modification you can do with an A........You will grow to love it more with time....Congrats
Model A Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2023, 02:40 PM   #16
Gene F
Senior Member
 
Gene F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,973
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

I enjoy my overdrive. It just makes the car more practical. I will say that I also enjoy my cast iron brake drums.

Some minor modifications to the A just make it so that a person wants to drive it a lot more. Erands, joyrides, church, local chapter meetings, whatever.
Gene F is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2023, 03:30 PM   #17
Y-Blockhead
Senior Member
 
Y-Blockhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,849
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jack backer View Post
Had some aluminum round stock , 1”, extended the Mitchell stick.
I added a 4" extension to my Mitchell shifter so I didn't have to reach so far.

Attached Images
File Type: jpg Mitchell Shifter.jpg (51.5 KB, 540 views)
Y-Blockhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2023, 07:51 PM   #18
jack backer
BANNED
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Chenango Bridge NY
Posts: 433
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Going to install a “‘39” transmission in the future,got a bunch of swan neck shifters in the deal, going to adapt one to the Mitchell bell crank.

Thats if it doesn’t lengthen the throw too much
jack backer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2023, 09:10 PM   #19
Model A Ron
Senior Member
 
Model A Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Troutman, NC
Posts: 717
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MickyD View Post
Got my Mitchell overdrive installed in my 31 Tudor. It drove better than it ever has for me. Drove it 60 miles and it drove better than my 2021 pickup. I will be driving my Tudor a lot more. Best investment I have ever made.
Could you give us the current price for a Mitchel Overdrive? I have a feeling they are around 4k by now with all the inflation.
Model A Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2023, 09:22 PM   #20
Tom Endy
Senior Member
 
Tom Endy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 3,131
Default Re: Mitchell overdrive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Model A Ron View Post
Could you give us the current price for a Mitchel Overdrive? I have a feeling they are around 4k by now with all the inflation.
They cost about $3,500 including tax and shipping delivered here in California. If delivered out of state the shipping may be higher, but you may avoid state tax. They ship from Colusa, California. They are the same price if ordered direct from Mitchell or through any one of the suppliers.
There is about a six-month lead time.

Contact Mitchell at: 530-458-4500

Tom Endy
Tom Endy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


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 10:57 AM.