The Ford Barn

Bob 37 · 12-21-2011, 04:22 PM

Does anyone have any input on overdrive units that are available for early V/8 Fords? A friend has a basically stock '39 coupe that he would like to make more highway-speed friendly.

Lawrie · 12-21-2011, 04:54 PM

Mitchell,
make a nice unit.Lawrie

jimTN · 12-21-2011, 05:23 PM

Columbia two speed is the way to go. Engineered for Ford.

Mac VP · 12-21-2011, 08:05 PM

If you want OD with the closed drive, you would do best to get the Mitchell OD unit. If you have (or plan to install) an open drive rear end, the 49 or 50 Merc OD would be the easiest way to go.

columbiA · 12-21-2011, 08:21 PM

I have Columbia ODs in both my model A s.Each has ratios of 4.11 & 2.94 .I adapted both myself & no lathe work was required. I have used one since 1960 in over1/2 doz A s & modified abt 15 yrs ago to fit a 33 coupe.Modified it a 2nd time a couple yrs ago to fit my A coupe.My A sedan has a 46 columbia that i had to narrow by taking 15/16"out of the Columbia hsg & used 36 axles & spider gears.For me the 4.11s give the best OD ratio even when in the 33 with the 59A.I think 3.78s would be to high geard for my likeing--unless you live in the prairies or the US midwest.

miss victoria · 12-21-2011, 08:52 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

ford f150 3 speed + O.D. Full syncromesh california kit. 1935-1939

flatmotor40 · 12-22-2011, 06:04 AM

I have a Mitchell in my 40 and it is great

Bob 37 · 12-22-2011, 08:10 AM

Thanks for the info guys
.

38 coupe · 12-26-2011, 11:45 AM

There is a possible downside to each of the above options.

The Columbia rear axle is expensive and finding all the correct controls for your year car can get interesting. It is the most correct option for a 39 and will get no points off at judging if done properly. Everything needed is findable, just open your wallet or spend a while searching or both.

The Mitchell is a nice unit. I have ridden in an A with the Mitchell overdrive and Mitchell synchro A transmission and was impressed by both. The downside to the Mitchell is it may not fit under the floor. All the pictures I have seen of a Mitchell under a 33 and later passenger car had the floor under the truck / back seat area cut out and raised to clear the overdrive. I have seen posts where people say they have a Mitchell with no floor cutting needed in a passenger car, but no pictures. If a Mitchell can be installed in a 37-40 passenger car with no floor cutting, I will end up installing at least two in my and my dad's cars.

The F-150 transmission is longer than the stock 3 speed and every picture I have seen of one installed in an early V8 included a cut cross member. Again, I have seen posts that say these transmission can be made to fit with no cutting, but no pictures.

41PICUP · 12-26-2011, 07:07 PM

I've got a Mitchell in my 41 pickup. Running a SBC with stock Ford tranny and 3:54s in the banjo, 26% Mitchell overdrive. I love it. Much easier than converting to open drive and a T-5. Two guys and four hours .. easy swap.

miss victoria · 12-27-2011, 12:39 AM

The f150 kit comes with new rear transmission mounts. the stock rear cross mount comes out and the new ones bolt in. driveshaft and tube needs to be shortened a couple of inches. everything else bolts in.

flatmotor40 · 12-27-2011, 06:08 AM

I put my Mitchell in with no floor cutting just talk to Sue at Mitchell

38 coupe · 12-27-2011, 12:53 PM

miss victoria and flatmotor 40, do you have pictures during the installations and the end result?

32Gnu · 12-27-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatmotor40

I put my Mitchell in with no floor cutting just talk to Sue at Mitchell

Sue? Does Mitchell have a web site?

Only Macs comes up on the Web search...

4dFord/SC · 12-27-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 32Gnu

Sue? Does Mitchell have a web site?

Only Macs comes up on the Web search...

Don't believe they have a website. Their phone no. is 1-800-859-2088, email [email protected]. Also, they have an ad in The V8 Times.

37don · 12-27-2011, 07:09 PM

Have a Mitchell in our 37 sdn with 3.78 rear and 28% od and it is the cats meow. Bullet proof unit and great people to deal with.
Don

flatmotor40 · 12-28-2011, 05:57 AM

I went with 36% OD on mine drops about 700 RPM

flatmotor40 · 12-28-2011, 05:59 AM

I installed all of mine with the body off frame when I was doing the car so it was easy and I put a full Bradley floor in it.I think I have some pics I"ll see

miss victoria · 12-28-2011, 09:17 AM

I have all the parts to do f100 conversions will try to get some pictures.

oldredford · 12-28-2011, 08:59 PM

Can the Mitchel be installed in a Business coupe/Opera coupe? I don't think so because of the extended elevated floor pan. Now on a 5 window coupe it can be installed. My 1940 5 window has one in and it was easy to install. I am doing another 5 window and it will have a 36% Mitchel OD.

Jerry

12-21-2011, 04:22 PM	#1
Bob 37 Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 42	Overdrive Does anyone have any input on overdrive units that are available for early V/8 Fords? A friend has a basically stock '39 coupe that he would like to make more highway-speed friendly.

12-21-2011, 04:54 PM	#2
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,215	Re: Overdrive Mitchell, make a nice unit.Lawrie

12-21-2011, 05:23 PM	#3
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: Overdrive Columbia two speed is the way to go. Engineered for Ford.

12-21-2011, 08:05 PM	#4
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,361	Re: Overdrive If you want OD with the closed drive, you would do best to get the Mitchell OD unit. If you have (or plan to install) an open drive rear end, the 49 or 50 Merc OD would be the easiest way to go. __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

12-21-2011, 08:21 PM	#5
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Overdrive I have Columbia ODs in both my model A s.Each has ratios of 4.11 & 2.94 .I adapted both myself & no lathe work was required. I have used one since 1960 in over1/2 doz A s & modified abt 15 yrs ago to fit a 33 coupe.Modified it a 2nd time a couple yrs ago to fit my A coupe.My A sedan has a 46 columbia that i had to narrow by taking 15/16"out of the Columbia hsg & used 36 axles & spider gears.For me the 4.11s give the best OD ratio even when in the 33 with the 59A.I think 3.78s would be to high geard for my likeing--unless you live in the prairies or the US midwest.

12-21-2011, 08:52 PM	#6
miss victoria Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 310	Re: Overdrive Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) ford f150 3 speed + O.D. Full syncromesh california kit. 1935-1939

12-22-2011, 06:04 AM	#7
flatmotor40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 611	Re: Overdrive I have a Mitchell in my 40 and it is great

12-22-2011, 08:10 AM	#8
Bob 37 Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 42	Re: Overdrive Thanks for the info guys .

12-26-2011, 11:45 AM	#9
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: Overdrive There is a possible downside to each of the above options. The Columbia rear axle is expensive and finding all the correct controls for your year car can get interesting. It is the most correct option for a 39 and will get no points off at judging if done properly. Everything needed is findable, just open your wallet or spend a while searching or both. The Mitchell is a nice unit. I have ridden in an A with the Mitchell overdrive and Mitchell synchro A transmission and was impressed by both. The downside to the Mitchell is it may not fit under the floor. All the pictures I have seen of a Mitchell under a 33 and later passenger car had the floor under the truck / back seat area cut out and raised to clear the overdrive. I have seen posts where people say they have a Mitchell with no floor cutting needed in a passenger car, but no pictures. If a Mitchell can be installed in a 37-40 passenger car with no floor cutting, I will end up installing at least two in my and my dad's cars. The F-150 transmission is longer than the stock 3 speed and every picture I have seen of one installed in an early V8 included a cut cross member. Again, I have seen posts that say these transmission can be made to fit with no cutting, but no pictures.

12-27-2011, 12:39 AM	#11
miss victoria Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 310	Re: Overdrive The f150 kit comes with new rear transmission mounts. the stock rear cross mount comes out and the new ones bolt in. driveshaft and tube needs to be shortened a couple of inches. everything else bolts in.

12-27-2011, 06:08 AM	#12
flatmotor40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 611	Re: Overdrive I put my Mitchell in with no floor cutting just talk to Sue at Mitchell

12-27-2011, 12:53 PM	#13
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: Overdrive miss victoria and flatmotor 40, do you have pictures during the installations and the end result?

12-27-2011, 07:09 PM	#16
37don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Kingstown, R.I. Posts: 262	Re: Overdrive Have a Mitchell in our 37 sdn with 3.78 rear and 28% od and it is the cats meow. Bullet proof unit and great people to deal with. Don

12-28-2011, 05:57 AM	#17
flatmotor40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 611	Re: Overdrive I went with 36% OD on mine drops about 700 RPM

12-28-2011, 05:59 AM	#18
flatmotor40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 611	Re: Overdrive I installed all of mine with the body off frame when I was doing the car so it was easy and I put a full Bradley floor in it.I think I have some pics I"ll see

12-28-2011, 09:17 AM	#19
miss victoria Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 310	Re: Overdrive I have all the parts to do f100 conversions will try to get some pictures.

12-28-2011, 08:59 PM	#20
oldredford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Moncks Corner, SC Posts: 439	Re: Overdrive Can the Mitchel be installed in a Business coupe/Opera coupe? I don't think so because of the extended elevated floor pan. Now on a 5 window coupe it can be installed. My 1940 5 window has one in and it was easy to install. I am doing another 5 window and it will have a 36% Mitchel OD. Jerry