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08-28-2019, 12:58 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Little Silver, New Jersey
Posts: 28
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Mitchell Overdrive
Hi folks.
I have a 36 coupe with stock running gear and a 4:11 rear.I'm not comfortable driving more than 40 mph, because of the excessive rpm.I have no plans on running any major highways, but it would be nice to keep up with traffic on some of the local roads and not have to pull out of the way because of tailgaters.I remember seeing a Mitchell with cable shift many years ago on a 36, but an opening to allow room for the unit had to be cut in the floor in front of the differential. A cover was then fabricated to cover it. Has anyone installed one, and is this still the case or have the newer units been improved on? Thank's Frank |
08-28-2019, 02:30 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 416
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Frank : I've done this and can offer some advice. Call me at 613-258-0336 or email me before you order anything. Bruce
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08-28-2019, 03:17 PM | #3 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Little Silver, New Jersey
Posts: 28
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Thank You Bruce.I will be in touch.
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08-28-2019, 03:46 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,163
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Perhaps it has a 6 blade truck fan----- 60 shouldn't be a problem, I ran the 39 with the 60hp and 4:44 rear over 65 all the time
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08-28-2019, 07:22 PM | #5 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Little Silver, New Jersey
Posts: 28
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Thank's Kurt.
I'm using a 4 blade stock fan. At about 45, I'm only at less than half throttle with plenty to spare. I'll try and hook up a tach. to see what my rpms really are. Thank's Frank |
08-28-2019, 07:41 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Melbourne Australia.
Posts: 2,082
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
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08-28-2019, 08:33 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 1,579
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Another option you might consider is a higher ratio rear end, e.g., 3.78. Mitchells are nice, though.
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06-23-2020, 08:50 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca
Posts: 2,904
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
also bigger tires, i have a 36 pickup with a 411 and i run 750-16 on the rear, i drive about 50,55 all day long
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If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya! i can't spell my way out of a paper bag! |
08-29-2019, 02:29 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,063
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Maybe a Mitchell and a 3.78 rear. Best to my knowledge you will have to mod the floor on your setup. Have a 36% mitchell on a 38 (thinking about it on a 36 coupe) a healthy flathead (3.78 rear). love it. 36% a bit much but I pull it okay without headwind. No need to open drive it or get rid of the tube design.
. |
08-29-2019, 05:01 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Georgia
Posts: 611
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
On my Mitchell I only moved the cable shift arm downward instead of up but it make the cable pull to disengage and push to engage.Love the Mitchell.Mounted the cable to the left of steering column.Wold not have the floor shif and didn't have to modify floor on my 40
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08-29-2019, 12:15 PM | #11 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Loomis, CA
Posts: 46
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Can anyone post a picture of their floor after installing a mitchell?
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08-29-2019, 07:50 PM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Asheville NC
Posts: 49
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
here is my floor conversion for my mitchell.
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08-29-2019, 01:37 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 835
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
I had to modify the floor in my '47, it cleared in the garage but it would hit on bumps going down the road. It didn't take much to clearance it, but a '36 would probably need more.
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08-29-2019, 03:08 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,634
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
I have an overdrive in my '47 convertible. It is a 30% reduction when engaged. The car has a 3:78 rear, and if you choose a unit with that ration, it should do fine with the 4:11. It will allow you to leave it in overdrive a lower speeds. My Ryan unit mounts directly to the rear axle banjo, and I shift it with a cable sold for truck power takeoff application with the knob under the lower edge of the dashboard. I can run at highway speeds above 60 mph. Just be sure that your brakes and steering are in top shape for such high speeds.
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08-30-2019, 05:07 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Georgia
Posts: 611
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
That is why I moved the shift brkt to the bottom when someone was in the back seat it would hit on a bump.Changed the shift lever in OD unit and no more bump.Did't have to modify floor at all.Went with 36% with 378 gear
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08-30-2019, 09:37 AM | #16 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 835
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Here's what I had to do with my '47, a small notch on either side of the driveshaft tunnel. I used an old 289 valve cover and welded it in on both side.
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08-30-2019, 10:38 AM | #17 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Little Silver, New Jersey
Posts: 28
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Thank's guys for all the response and suggestions. Changing ratio is an option, but setting up a new ring and pinion requires a lot of work, with adding and removing shims to get the mesh just right and also there's the question of the quality of the new gears.We all know about reproduction parts! A mitchell seems the way to go, since it appears to be a bolt on item, I just have to convince myself to cut a hole in the floor.
Frank |
08-31-2019, 06:48 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Melbourne Australia.
Posts: 2,082
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Frank, just fit up the overdrive unit and then see how close it is to the floor. Cars vary so you might not have to modify the floor much. As others have said you wont need to touch the rear end, your 4.11 will be good to go. Regards, Kevin.
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08-31-2019, 07:21 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Powell, TN
Posts: 2,511
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Go with a Columbia and avoid having to butcher up your car. Columbia set ups were made and engineered for Fords.
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08-31-2019, 07:37 AM | #20 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Dighton, Mass
Posts: 1,230
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Re: Mitchell Overdrive
Quote:
thats with no guarantee's either. Not to mention shipping. Other than that you are correct. |
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