The Ford Barn

Del in NE Ohio · 03-07-2014, 09:40 AM

Helping a friend who wants to make some upgrades to his '31 s/w sedan for touring. He has an opportunity to buy a Mitchell O/D out of another "A". I seem to remember there was some issue when installing one of these in a s/w body. Anybody have experience with this?

Ford1931 · 03-07-2014, 09:57 AM

I am doing the same thing only with a new overdrive from Mitchell. I was told there was no issue putting one in the 31 s/w sedan unless it has an accessory under floor tool storage box. If that is the case they move the overdrive box back some. Depending on the year car you are taking the overdrive out of, the speedometer cable may be different, but you can buy one from Mitchell. You can also call Mitchell, they are excellent to work with.

TinCup · 03-07-2014, 10:14 AM

Can't recall any issues when we installed one in a 31 slant. I will second the motion that help is a phone call away from the folks at Mitchell.

Tom Endy · 03-07-2014, 11:09 AM

The Victoria, A-400, and the 31 phaeton have a dropped floor pan for the back seat area. This will conflict with a standard Mitchell overdrive. For these applications you have to order a different Mitchell overdrive design, one with the transmission housing located 4.5" further forward. It is still a close fit, so they machine the rear top section of the housing off at an angle. Even then you can still bottom out if you go over a speed bump too fast.

Other options are to glue a strip of 1\4" rubber to the machined angle of the housing to act as a bumper. You can also replace the 8-leaf rear spring with a 10-leaf to gain a little clearance.

Tom Endy

Del in NE Ohio · 03-07-2014, 11:31 AM

Sounds to me as though the clearance problem would not be there with a s/w 4dr??

C4engr · 03-08-2014, 01:18 AM

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I did not have any problems with mine. It went as planned.

Rog

03-07-2014, 09:40 AM	#1
Del in NE Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Columbiana,OH Posts: 461	Mitchell O/D in '31 s/w sedan Helping a friend who wants to make some upgrades to his '31 s/w sedan for touring. He has an opportunity to buy a Mitchell O/D out of another "A". I seem to remember there was some issue when installing one of these in a s/w body. Anybody have experience with this?

03-07-2014, 09:57 AM	#2
Ford1931 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 210	Re: Mitchell O/D in '31 s/w sedan I am doing the same thing only with a new overdrive from Mitchell. I was told there was no issue putting one in the 31 s/w sedan unless it has an accessory under floor tool storage box. If that is the case they move the overdrive box back some. Depending on the year car you are taking the overdrive out of, the speedometer cable may be different, but you can buy one from Mitchell. You can also call Mitchell, they are excellent to work with.

03-07-2014, 10:14 AM	#3
TinCup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OKC / Tonkawa, Ok. Posts: 1,977	Re: Mitchell O/D in '31 s/w sedan Can't recall any issues when we installed one in a 31 slant. I will second the motion that help is a phone call away from the folks at Mitchell. __________________ Oklahoma City Model A Restorers Group.

03-07-2014, 11:09 AM	#4
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Mitchell O/D in '31 s/w sedan The Victoria, A-400, and the 31 phaeton have a dropped floor pan for the back seat area. This will conflict with a standard Mitchell overdrive. For these applications you have to order a different Mitchell overdrive design, one with the transmission housing located 4.5" further forward. It is still a close fit, so they machine the rear top section of the housing off at an angle. Even then you can still bottom out if you go over a speed bump too fast. Other options are to glue a strip of 1\4" rubber to the machined angle of the housing to act as a bumper. You can also replace the 8-leaf rear spring with a 10-leaf to gain a little clearance. Tom Endy

03-07-2014, 11:31 AM	#5
Del in NE Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Columbiana,OH Posts: 461	Re: Mitchell O/D in '31 s/w sedan Sounds to me as though the clearance problem would not be there with a s/w 4dr??

03-08-2014, 01:18 AM	#6
C4engr Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Jose CA Posts: 113	Re: Mitchell O/D in '31 s/w sedan Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I did not have any problems with mine. It went as planned. Rog