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Old 07-17-2021, 09:17 AM   #1
Oldgearz
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Default Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

I'm thinking about putting a Mitchell overdrive into my 30 Coupe, but first want to survey current owners. Has the Mitchell overdrive met your expectations and are you satisfied with it? Thanks.
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Old 07-17-2021, 10:02 AM   #2
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

I recently installed one in my CCPU and took it on the MAFCA New Hampshire White Mountain Tour. I love it, wish I had done it 5 years ago. On the first drive with my wife driving 45mph I shifted into overdrive. My wife said “ WOW it sure got quieter in here”.
In the hills it really shines as a gear splitter, especially 2nd over. You basically have six gears.
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Old 07-17-2021, 10:11 AM   #3
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

Absolutely!
Just installed my second one.
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Old 07-17-2021, 10:29 AM   #4
Ernie Vitucci
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

Good Morning...YES. I've had my Mitchell for 15 years and over 21,000 miles. It helps to have a little higher compression head...but the Mitchell makes the Model A...a different more useable car for every day use. If Henry had had an overdrive like the Mitchell available...he would have sold millions and built Model A's for a good few more years in my humble opinion. Ernie in Arizona
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Old 07-17-2021, 05:13 PM   #5
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

I’ve had mine for a year now and love it.
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Old 07-17-2021, 05:43 PM   #6
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

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Thumbs up. I just got back from a ride into town. We live in the foothills so I use the second over quite a lot. The overdrive shifts quickly without effort or grinding. Secret is to shift quickly. It is a little stiff in the winter before the car gets warmed up so I just leave it in direct until I have gone maybe 5 miles. Great on the highway. Michell says to use 85W-140 GL-5 oil.
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Old 07-17-2021, 06:14 PM   #7
TerryH
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

I have had mine for about 14 years now and almost 14,000 miles. I would not have a Model A without one. Works wonderfully well, and as others have said shifting in OD around 40-45 is amazingly quiet, and since it’s synchro, so easy to shift back and forth. I use mine like a 4th gear, and even use it on surface streets. And 2nd over is great in the hills. You’ll love it!
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Old 07-17-2021, 07:05 PM   #8
Oldgearz
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

Thank you all for responding. I'm sold...gonna get one. Like the idea of a quieter ride. I have a high compression (5.5) head, and engine is strong. Thanks again.
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Old 07-17-2021, 07:45 PM   #9
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

I never knew they were syncronized. The B/W units have freewheeling, so how about the Mitchell's?
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Old 07-17-2021, 10:03 PM   #10
Gil Sissons
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

Won’t leave home without it!
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Old 07-17-2021, 11:11 PM   #11
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

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Originally Posted by Gene F View Post
I never knew they were syncronized. The B/W units have freewheeling, so how about the Mitchell's?
I am not sure what "freewheeling" is but the Mitchell has Low (No O/D), Neutral and High (O/D). When I want to impress a passenger I will shift from 1st Low to 2nd Low to 2nd O/D to 3rd Low to 3rd O/D.
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Old 07-18-2021, 04:22 AM   #12
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

Not freewheeling. It will provide engine braking in hi or lo range.
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Old 07-18-2021, 06:07 AM   #13
Dave in MN
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

I installed mine in 2000 and since then have put over 98,000 miles on it. Not one issue with it. It works great. It has exceeded my expectations.
Good Day!
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Old 07-18-2021, 07:15 AM   #14
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

The overdrive has a neutral position between direct and overdrive. I suppose you could use it as a freewheeling position but it may be dangerous depending on the circumstances. Since the overdrive is syncronized it can be put into direct or overdrive from the neutral position so it is not as dangerous as putting the two speed rear end on a Model T in neutral. The two speed rear end on a Model T is not syncronized.
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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.
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Old 07-18-2021, 11:41 AM   #15
Gene F
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

So is double-clutching still needed with the Mitchell?
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Old 07-18-2021, 12:17 PM   #16
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

Putting in the Mitchell OD does not affect how the stock transmission works, so yes you still have to double clutch that. But shifting the Mitchell into or out of OD is synchronized, so no double clutching needed for it.
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Old 07-18-2021, 01:09 PM   #17
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by TerryH View Post
Putting in the Mitchell OD does not affect how the stock transmission works, so yes you still have to double clutch that. But shifting the Mitchell into or out of OD is synchronized, so no double clutching needed for it.
Or you could just put Mitchel into Neutral shift into 2nd or third and then engage the Mitchel. As for double clutching I never did that without the Mitchel.....only double clutch when down shifting. Just listen to the gears and shift when they slow down a bit.

As for buying the Mitchel if you have the money go get one and never look back. It's a no Brainer.
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Old 07-18-2021, 02:19 PM   #18
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

I was lucky with my Vicky it had the Mitchell syncro transmission installed when I got it. I added the Mitchell OD and they are great together.
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Old 07-18-2021, 02:35 PM   #19
Ivan in southeast va.
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

My dad put one in his 31 TS and loves it. He would even use it around town. I have a 31 pickup and don't want to bother, but I bet I would love it if I installed one.
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Old 07-18-2021, 09:41 PM   #20
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Default Re: Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

Big fan of the Mitchell OD have 2
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