Mitchell in our 46

[oldford2]

We got the Mitchell in our 46 and took it out for a test ride. 2350 rpm's @ 60mph. Now that is nice! That is using the tach and GPS for accurate speed. I was held up a week because I had ordered the shifting lever and then realized I would have to cut too much into the rear pan so had to wait for the cable shifter to come across country. Good decision. I had a problem hooking up the linkage and called Mitchell. Steve Mitchell talked me through it and now is is shifting smoothly. Sue Mitchell is on the phone and what great people to do business with. Too bad we will be putting her up for the winter next month.
John

[FLA48]

Thanks for the information and feedback on the process. Sounds like the way to go. Glad to hear about the linkage issue.

[4dFord/SC]

Originally Posted by oldford2

Sue Mitchell is on the phone and what great people to do business with. Too bad we will be putting her up for the winter next month.
John

Seems a bit ungrateful after all the help Sue gave you

[oldford2]

No, we are putting the 46 up for the winter, not Sue

John

[Vic Piano]

John, now that you've got the Mitchell in the '46, why not drive it down to Florida for the winter... See you soon. Vic

[19Fordy]

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John, Glad it all worked out. Could you please explain how you hook up the column shift when you install the Mitchell OD unit. I would like to install one in my 40 ford but I don't want to cut holes in the floor. You mentioned a cable you had to install. How does that work? If possible, please post a few photos of your interior install of the Mitchell and the bottom of the car install. Thanks, Jim

[oldford2]

19forty,
I will post some pics in the morning. John

[Mike in AZ]

what kind of tach do you use??.....thanks....looking forward to pics of install....Mike

[JWL]

The listed RPM sounds higher than I would expect? Is that their "36%" OD? What is the ring and pinion ratio? What size tires?

I know their "36%" advertisement is wrong but I have 3.78 rear and about the same RPM at 70 as your indication at 60? I wonder why?

[flatmotor40]

I turned the shift arm to the bottom and that solved my shift problems that the arm hi the floor with someone in the back seat on my conv.The only way is the cable shift linkage.But I put Posie reverse eye springs on mine that dropped the rear a little.I don't know how to post pics yet

[oldford2]

Let's see if I can answer some of the above questions:

I have the 26% mitchell, 3.78 rearend, 600:16 tires

I had to cut a 1/2" X 1 1/2" slot at the top of the removable floor pan to allow the cable to come up from below.


Here is a picture of where you would have to cut a slot for the floor lever shift. The black line shows the position. A no-no.



Here is a shot of the cable pull location:


Here is a picture of the Unit cable hookup. Many options for attachments available. I think I have plenty of clearance but will check clearance with 2 heavy people in the back.

westach.com for the 6 volt tach

[Mike in AZ]

great info and pics....thanks....Mike

[19Fordy]

Thank you for posting the pics.

[40cpe]

I'm confused by the ratings of "26%" and "36%". Does anyone know what they mean? I can't make the math come out any way I try. You really need to know how it affects the final drive ratio to make any decisions.

[oldford2]

40CPE
Here is how it works:
The 26% (it is actually 26.6) mitchell reduces the rpm,s by 26% at the same speed when shifted from direct drive to overdrive. So, 100% minus 26% equals 74%.
If you are turning 2,900rpm's @ 60mph and shift into overdrive the rpm's will drop to 2150 (2900*.74=2150).
John

[flathead47]

Oldford2
how much space do you have between the floor & the top of the overdrive unit?
Do you know if the floor in your car above the overdrive unit is different then the 47 convertible floor pan?

[40cpe]

Originally Posted by oldford2

40CPE
Here is how it works:
The 26% (it is actually 26.6) mitchell reduces the rpm,s by 26% at the same speed when shifted from direct drive to overdrive. So, 100% minus 26% equals 74%.
If you are turning 2,900rpm's @ 60mph and shift into overdrive the rpm's will drop to 2150 (2900*.74=2150).
John

Thanks, John. Did you record your RPM at 60 before the Mitchell install? Is the Mitchell direct drive (1:1) when not in OD, being the same as before the install? What was/is the RPM at the GPS 60 mph reading when not in OD? I ask because my RPM at a GPS 60 is ~2850 and 2850-26% is 2109. By those numbers, you have about 200 RPM too high, hence my statement that I can't make the math work. I suppose the difference in my readings and yours could be tach calibration. Taking readings on the same car, same tach in each drive mode (if the low side is 1:1) would verify the ratio. Maybe I'm picking nits, but I've heard others say the the actual ratios are not the stated 26 and 36 percent. I'm not saying it is good or bad, but would like to know.

[oldford2]

40cpe,

The one run we made was not on the interstate and in traffic. So hard to make a steady speed and accurate readings. Rain tomorrow and pheasant season starts Saturday so we will get on the interstate Sunday for some steady runs. But, the Mitchell seems great and shifts in or out smoothly at any speed.
John

[40cpe]

Thank you for being our guinea pig (meaning: A person or animal who is used as the subject of an experiment) with the Mitchell. I know the Mitchell product isn't an experiment, but these numbers are mysterious to me. I appreciate your sharing your experience with us.

Gene