Mitchell Overdrive

[frank d kirkstad]

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

[Bruce Compton, Canada]

Frank : I've done this and can offer some advice. Call me at 613-258-0336 or email me before you order anything. Bruce

[frank d kirkstad]

Thank You Bruce.I will be in touch.

[Kurt in NJ]

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

[frank d kirkstad]

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

[koates]

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Frank, have fitted a Mitchell overdrive to a standard 36 coupe and did have to modify the rear floor a little and make a little cover for the cut out section. That was about 4 years ago. Regards, Kevin..

[4dFord/SC]

Another option you might consider is a higher ratio rear end, e.g., 3.78. Mitchells are nice, though.

[Tinker]

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.
.

[flatmotor40]

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

[Pandersen33]

Can anyone post a picture of their floor after installing a mitchell?

[Automotive Stud]

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.

[supereal]

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.

[31steve]

here is my floor conversion for my mitchell.

[flatmotor40]

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

[Automotive Stud]

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.

[frank d kirkstad]

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

[koates]

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.

[jimTN]

Go with a Columbia and avoid having to butcher up your car. Columbia set ups were made and engineered for Fords.

[big job]

Frank cutting a hole is the last thing I 'd worry about It would be the big smile on my
face If I could afford a Mitchell. The thing embedded in my mind still in high school
summer job picken weeds painting windows for a retired whisky pickled soft hatted gent
would send me to the dump in his car a 49 V8 business coupe with OD what a dream
to drive a whisper quiet car. Go for it sam

[big job]

Originally Posted by jimTN

Go with a Columbia and avoid having to butcher up your car. Columbia set ups were made and engineered for Fords.

True : but try and find one yeh ebay and then you need a student loan and
thats with no guarantee's either. Not to mention shipping. Other than that
you are correct.

[Steve in Denver]

Anyone have a tach along with their 4.11 and Mitchell? I was in a friend's '36 with a 411 and his Columbia, it still sounded like it needed another gear at 60 mph and was running around 3000 rpm. I have a 3.54 in my '36 and even with that run around 2800 rpm at 60 and it sounds like it needs another gear. A Columbia would be nice but everyone tells me it will lug the engine.

[frank d kirkstad]

Thank You Kevin I'll keep that in mind.
A columbia my first choice, is hard to find and then it has to what they call "bullet proofed"
If my floors weren't original and replaced at one time,then I would't mined cutting.
I drove a 51 with O/D in high school so I know what Sam means,and it was 12 yrs old.
Maybe I'll just stay the coarse,I'm 74 and we senior citizens are always accused of driving to slow anyway.

[glennpm]

Hi Jim,


I'm with you on this but I do know that Columbia 2-Speeds get pricey. T5's, Mitchell's, etc. kind of go away from keeping things mostly stock Unless mods have already been done to the car.

Originally Posted by jimTN

Go with a Columbia and avoid having to butcher up your car. Columbia set ups were made and engineered for Fords.

[95476]

I have a Columbia in my 3-W coupe and a Mitchell in my 1/2 ton P/U.
I actually like the Mitchell better. Both are great but I prefer the Mitchell.
They both do the same thing.

[supereal]

Using a cable to shift an overdrive is fairly simple. The only adaptation is making a clamp for the cable sheath at the overdrive. I push the knob to shift into OD, and pull it to go back. My OD is mounted directly to the rear axle, and since it moves with the springs, a cable avoids moving a lever mounted to the body

[drolston]

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My '41 came with 3.78 gears and I was just not happy with the rpm and racket needed to keep up with Interstate traffic. Considered Columbia and Mitchell but ended up changing the rear end to 3.25 ratio. I am very pleased with performance cruising and in traffic. That is a little tall for a stock engine, but if you have a 4" or better stroke and a a stock or mild street cam, there is plenty of torque for low speed maneuvering and starting off on hills. With room, strength, patience, and reference materials, you can do it yourself. I was short on all of that, so I had Walker Smith hot rod shop do the gear change for me. It must be done precisely, and experience in this job is very beneficial to get it right the first time. The gears and gaskets are $400 from Van Pelt, and the shop should be under $1,000. Good luck with whatever route you take.

[Conrad#Hamburg]

Hello from Germany,
this is my first post here…

I have a 36 Cabriolet with 4.11 rear, 39 gear box and a french flathead.
Without the Mitchell I was not able to drive more than 50 miles an hour.

Now 65 miles are fine, although I do not have a tach connected.

I bought it from Macs, and they said that we did not have to cut the floor.
But it had to.

By the way, I did not do it on my own, it was a shop here in Germany.

Greeting
Conrad

[tubman]

That is a professional looking installation. I'm kind of surprised about the 50 mph maximum with the 4.11's; they are low, but I had a '36 3-window with a 276" Merc, a '39 box, and 4.11's, and it would do a lot more than that.

Glad you like the Mitchell, though.

Welcome to the "Barn".

[Conrad#Hamburg]

Hey Tubman,
the engine could go more, but i was too afraid to try ;-)

[Kerk]

I was going to go with a Coumbia and have the parts but at this point I do not think I will get to it. Age & health changes things ! kx

[tubman]

Hey Conrad, If the reason you do not have a tachometer connected is because your car is still 6 volt positive ground, I make a solution : https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-volt-to-1...r/233307790645.

[oldford2]

Westach makes a 6 volt tach. Very reasonable and a cinch to hook up.
John

[donald1950]

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...model-a/gauges

[tubman]

Originally Posted by oldford2

Westach makes a 6 volt tach. Very reasonable and a cinch to hook up.
John

Expensive and very "agricultural" looking.

[Conrad#Hamburg]

Thank you guys, I already converted to 12Volt.

I think I will buy a cheap tach just to check the rpm
and then disconnect it.

[Lawrie]

Our 33, when it had the 4.11 gears and the stock 33 babbit engine would run up to 75 mph as smooth as silk
Lawrie

[Pete pa]

I have 411 rear in my 40 coupe with a Columbia 2 speed, in direct drive the tach is reading 2950 rpm at 60 mph. In overdrive it reads 2000 rpm if that helps anyone.

[Ford Freak]

Originally Posted by Pete pa

I have 411 rear in my 40 coupe with a Columbia 2 speed, in direct drive the tach is reading 2950 rpm at 60 mph. In overdrive it reads 2000 rpm if that helps anyone.

Hey Pete ! How tall are the rear tires you are running ? Thanks in advance - F F

[Kerk]

Someone from Middle of the country sent me an email and I am not able to reply ! Computer problem or ME Sent him a reply and told him I am from ma and National V 8 Club member and in the roster .. He can try again if he wants. Not going to Hershey for the first time in Many many years. but maybe someome could arrange transportation if it is the problem. kerk i

[Pete pa]

Ford Freak, I'm running 235/75/15 American Classic 28.80 inches.

[IndianapolisRacer]

I have a 41 pickup and thinking Mitchell , did the unit clear the bottom of the bed or did you have to modify it

[Jack Shaft]

Its technically not an overdrive,its a 2speed transmissionyou can split gears with it,Ive got a 26%with a 3.78 rear,in my opinion its the best thing you can do for drivability.

[37 Cab]

X2.. 4.11 gear with 36% and a stock 21 stud. I had to cut my floor but my car is lowered and my floor is not stock. I doubt you will have to cut on a pick up. Call Mitchell. Great folks to deal with and will answer your questions.

[IndianapolisRacer]

Thanks will do

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by 4dFord/SC

Another option you might consider is a higher ratio rear end, e.g., 3.78. Mitchells are nice, though.

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

[whizzernick]

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Originally Posted by supereal

Using a cable to shift an overdrive is fairly simple. The only adaptation is making a clamp for the cable sheath at the overdrive. I push the knob to shift into OD, and pull it to go back. My OD is mounted directly to the rear axle, and since it moves with the springs, a cable avoids moving a lever mounted to the body

I have a little history with mitchell. (1933 3-w with a mitchell ) I bought the 3-w with the mitchell (4.11) installed cable shift . all was good but on a good size bump would hit floor. The thing that I did not like was the cable shift. I called mitchell and asked if they had an electric method to shift. They said NO not possible.
Well that is all I needed to prove them wrong. I pulled rear end and started to find a way. after several trys I did it. I made a copy of a columbia switch ( made it electric )mounted it under dash and put a step on switch by the clutch petal. to go up or down you would change switch on dash then put car in netural and step on floor switch. Not a 100% but most times it worked. If I were to do it again I would change a few things ( just to make it work better ) I found that most of the time I was in overdrive and that was fine. I have several other 33's most have 3:54

I like that ratio and you do nothing but drive.

[37 Cab]

I used the shift lever on mine. I modified a stock V8 shift knob so it matched my gear shift lever. Works flawlessly and looks just fine there. To me anyway and that is all that matters. My car has 29" rear tires and a 4.11 gear. 60 mph was 3000 rpm before and now 60 is 2100. It will run 65 all day comfortably. It would run faster but it is still and old car with suspension not made for those speeds so I don`t push it.

[19Fordy]

Conrad: Very nice work on the floor modification.