The Ford Barn

flathead47 · 12-20-2010, 04:25 PM

I am thinking about installing a mitchell overdrive unit in a 46 - 48 ford convertible. Does anyone have experience with this, installation tips, pictures of installation , was it worth the effort. Thanks.

oldford2 · 12-20-2010, 05:39 PM

I am considering one for our 46 so will be interested in the response to this post. I understand they are a quality gear changer and relatively easy to install. John

uncle max · 12-20-2010, 05:49 PM

Five hours to install - no looking back. Literally.

John T · 12-20-2010, 05:52 PM

Have one in my 38 Ford and it is great.

52merc · 12-20-2010, 07:45 PM

i believe theres a couple of ratios that you can get with this set up hopfully someone who has one in a car like yours will advise trev

jerry grayson · 12-20-2010, 08:57 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by oldford2

I am considering one for our 46 so will be interested in the response to this post. I understand they are a quality gear changer and relatively easy to install. John

Most 46's have a 3.54 rear gear and an overdrive is going to result in serious underpower.

Bruce Compton, Canada · 12-20-2010, 09:19 PM

I have one in my "36 and it's great. My '36 has a 3.78 rear and I have the "36"% Mitchell. Overall I believe they are a well built rugged overdrive that provides a viable option over the pricey and somewhat fragile Columbia if you're not into counting judging points at a car show. Before you order one, do the math on their advertised ratios as they think that overdrive "ratio" and "reduction" are the same. In Reality their "36 % " reduction is actually around 29% ( same as the Borg-Warner and Columbia ratios) while their "26%" is really closer to 20%. If your rear end ratio is 3.78 or higher, I'd suggest getting their 36%. It makes a huge difference in driveability that you will really enjoy. Bruce

52merc · 12-20-2010, 10:02 PM

i think you will find its 3.78 standard ratio for 46fords

flathead47 · 12-20-2010, 10:26 PM

My 47 has a 4.11 rear gear and is basically a 50-55 mph car. I have considered the 3.54 rear gear as an option , but the mitchell overdrive seems like a interesting solution to easily obtain a 65 mph car. I do not want to modify the floor of the car or have any clearance problems with the installation so that is why I was hoping there would be some pictures out there from someone who has installed one in a 46-48 ford.

flatmotor40 · 12-21-2010, 06:07 AM

I put one in my 40 conv and it was a 36% and it does great and if you see a long hill just speed up a little and it will do just fine.Sue was really helpful because I bought it and it was a year or so before I finished the car and they siad they would make it good anyway so great people to work with

flatmotor40 · 12-21-2010, 06:09 AM

I forgot ot tell you I oped for the cable because I didn't want a hole in the new floor

Django · 12-21-2010, 12:40 PM

I saw their ad in the V8 Times and was intrigued myself. How much are they?

John T · 12-21-2010, 01:21 PM

In my 36 Coupe I have a 354 rear and a 36% Mitchell and it works fine, but I do have a approx 370 cu. in. flathead for power.

38 coupe · 12-21-2010, 06:35 PM

Does anyone have pictures of the Mitchell installed under their vehicle and of the control, either cable or shifter?

41PICUP · 12-21-2010, 06:45 PM

I have one in my 41 pickup, running 3:54s, love it.
Easy install, take oout the old torque tube and driveshaft, then bolt in the Mitchell.
Any questions, call and talk to Sue Mitchell, she has all the answers, good people to deal with. Cost is about $2100. Either 26% or 36% overdrive.

38 coupe · 12-21-2010, 07:03 PM

Thanks for the picture. That looks like it would hit the floor under my 37 (and 38 and 39 and my Dad's 40). Does anyone have pictures of one installed under a passenger car?

CarPapa · 12-21-2010, 10:01 PM

Wanted to use one in my '34 sedan, but would have had to cut the seat riser and floor. Decided against it.

Walt Dupont--Me. · 12-21-2010, 10:08 PM

Hey John T, tell me a little bit more about your 370ci flathead. That really snapped me awake. Walt

52merc · 12-21-2010, 10:18 PM

me to !!

flatmotor40 · 12-22-2010, 06:14 AM

What I had to do was move the shift arm to the bottom instead of top so it would not hit the floor when you hit a bump or someone was in the bask seat.But I had put Posie reverse eye springs on mine and it lowered it a little but teh only difference is the engage you push in instead of pull out the cable.Sue was a great help and I used syn 90w oil in mine

12-20-2010, 04:25 PM	#1
flathead47 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto , Ontario Posts: 86	Mitchell overdrive I am thinking about installing a mitchell overdrive unit in a 46 - 48 ford convertible. Does anyone have experience with this, installation tips, pictures of installation , was it worth the effort. Thanks.

12-20-2010, 05:39 PM	#2
oldford2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsfield, MA Posts: 2,086	Re: Mitchell overdrive I am considering one for our 46 so will be interested in the response to this post. I understand they are a quality gear changer and relatively easy to install. John

12-20-2010, 05:49 PM	#3
uncle max Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SLC Utah Posts: 798	Re: Mitchell overdrive Five hours to install - no looking back. Literally. __________________ RIP Tyler... My Son, Helper & Best Friend. Feb '78 to Father's Day '10. www.97-express.com ~ [email protected]

12-20-2010, 05:52 PM	#4
John T Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 95	Re: Mitchell overdrive Have one in my 38 Ford and it is great.

12-20-2010, 07:45 PM	#5
52merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new zealand Posts: 1,054	Re: Mitchell overdrive i believe theres a couple of ratios that you can get with this set up hopfully someone who has one in a car like yours will advise trev

12-20-2010, 09:19 PM	#7
Bruce Compton, Canada Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 416	Re: Mitchell overdrive I have one in my "36 and it's great. My '36 has a 3.78 rear and I have the "36"% Mitchell. Overall I believe they are a well built rugged overdrive that provides a viable option over the pricey and somewhat fragile Columbia if you're not into counting judging points at a car show. Before you order one, do the math on their advertised ratios as they think that overdrive "ratio" and "reduction" are the same. In Reality their "36 % " reduction is actually around 29% ( same as the Borg-Warner and Columbia ratios) while their "26%" is really closer to 20%. If your rear end ratio is 3.78 or higher, I'd suggest getting their 36%. It makes a huge difference in driveability that you will really enjoy. Bruce

12-20-2010, 10:02 PM	#8
52merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new zealand Posts: 1,054	Re: Mitchell overdrive i think you will find its 3.78 standard ratio for 46fords

12-20-2010, 10:26 PM	#9
flathead47 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto , Ontario Posts: 86	Re: Mitchell overdrive My 47 has a 4.11 rear gear and is basically a 50-55 mph car. I have considered the 3.54 rear gear as an option , but the mitchell overdrive seems like a interesting solution to easily obtain a 65 mph car. I do not want to modify the floor of the car or have any clearance problems with the installation so that is why I was hoping there would be some pictures out there from someone who has installed one in a 46-48 ford.

12-21-2010, 06:07 AM	#10
flatmotor40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 611	Re: Mitchell overdrive I put one in my 40 conv and it was a 36% and it does great and if you see a long hill just speed up a little and it will do just fine.Sue was really helpful because I bought it and it was a year or so before I finished the car and they siad they would make it good anyway so great people to work with

12-21-2010, 06:09 AM	#11
flatmotor40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 611	Re: Mitchell overdrive I forgot ot tell you I oped for the cable because I didn't want a hole in the new floor

12-21-2010, 12:40 PM	#12
Django Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Forest Park, IL Posts: 590	Re: Mitchell overdrive I saw their ad in the V8 Times and was intrigued myself. How much are they? __________________ Obsessed with all things 1936 Ford since birth... thanks Dad.

12-21-2010, 01:21 PM	#13
John T Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 95	Re: Mitchell overdrive In my 36 Coupe I have a 354 rear and a 36% Mitchell and it works fine, but I do have a approx 370 cu. in. flathead for power.

12-21-2010, 06:35 PM	#14
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: Mitchell overdrive Does anyone have pictures of the Mitchell installed under their vehicle and of the control, either cable or shifter?

12-21-2010, 07:03 PM	#16
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: Mitchell overdrive Thanks for the picture. That looks like it would hit the floor under my 37 (and 38 and 39 and my Dad's 40). Does anyone have pictures of one installed under a passenger car?

12-21-2010, 10:01 PM	#17
CarPapa Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 6	Re: Mitchell overdrive Wanted to use one in my '34 sedan, but would have had to cut the seat riser and floor. Decided against it.

12-21-2010, 10:08 PM	#18
Walt Dupont--Me. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gardiner Me. Posts: 4,200	Re: Mitchell overdrive Hey John T, tell me a little bit more about your 370ci flathead. That really snapped me awake. Walt

12-21-2010, 10:18 PM	#19
52merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new zealand Posts: 1,054	Re: Mitchell overdrive me to !!

12-22-2010, 06:14 AM	#20
flatmotor40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 611	Re: Mitchell overdrive What I had to do was move the shift arm to the bottom instead of top so it would not hit the floor when you hit a bump or someone was in the bask seat.But I had put Posie reverse eye springs on mine and it lowered it a little but teh only difference is the engage you push in instead of pull out the cable.Sue was a great help and I used syn 90w oil in mine