I installed a Mitchell overdrive in my car so far I find it a little stiff to get into high but it is getting better Steve @ Mitchell told me this takes about 100 miles for it to break in. I really like it since it improves the jump from 2d to 3d quite a bit. If you are a touring type it is a nice item to have. One other thing I like about it at a stoplight shift the od into neutral and change whatever gear you want in on the ford tranny goes right in like it was synchronized which the mitchell is. I know you can buy a synchronised mithcell tranny or do a conversion but installing the mitchell was very easy and it is a well built unit. Wondered how many are running this or other conversions and your thoughts and experiences.
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Chief, I Mitchelled myself about 3-4 yrs ago, the best thing I ever did. Of course we do a lot of touring here, maybe 1K miles at a time. Agree with all you've said.
It is an incredibly well-made unit, and there is a certain special satisfaction that comes from buying a truly American made product. A 7-letter country trumps a 5-letter country any day of the week.
I too shift the Mitchell to neutral at a light, and pull the tranny into first, and sit there waiting for the light to change. Then slip the Mitchell into low silently, and off you go. There will be times that you will use second high and you will love that extra gear.
If on the fly, and decide to shift to hi-range or lo range, I always double clutch the Mitchell, I like it when the synchro clutches do less work!
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Originally posted by BNCHIEF View PostExactly what I do as well Tbird but after driving a truck for over 40 years my hands need something to do, but i have not reached for the jake brake yet, but I do still stop for rr xings which my wife thinks is funny.
Many years ago I read that it's best to not be braking or accelerating when crossing railroad tracks, and I've always crossed them in a coast mode.
Of course if you see the train a few feet down the track, you better floor it. LOL
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What gets me is, people that don't know if the RR crossing is rough or not hit it at full gallop and whop there goes the front end.
When I was at the Ford garage a 1972 Mach 1 Mustang that a customer bought new, and always took good care of, came in with a very serious handling problem. It shook and shimmied so hard it was dangerous to drive.Car had about 19,000 miles on it was only three years old.
Turns out his 16 year old son hit a set of railroad tracks going REAL fast and bent the front end structural sheetmetal, the shock aprons. The '71-'72-'73 Mustangs were famous for that, that was a bad design from Ford, they went on the cheap here. I'll never forget how screwed up that car was!!
And his Dad was pretty mad when they got the kid to confess!!
Must have been an inherited problem because my '69 Mach 1 has welded up re-inforced shock tower inner fender panels! Too much torque! The six cylinder and 302 cars didn't have that problem.
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[QUOTE=tbirdtbird;n30571 Of course we do a lot of touring here, maybe 1K miles at a time.[/QUOTE]
Sounds like for a using car that is the way to go. Mine has a 1939 ford trans so it is sycronized, I love it.
tbirdbird I'm so impressed with what you said about doing 1000 mile tours. Wow, sounds like my kind of club.
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I had the mitchell and totally changed my driving and touring forever., Best unit i ever installed....built good and using the 6 gears made th drive so much more enjoyable and was an overall great thing... BUT now i have to find the bucks and get another one......Ill., Region MARC & MAFCA
MARC JSC Member
MAFFI Trustee
2023 Hamilton National Co-Chair
National Facebook Admin.
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I have the F150 4-speed OD in my pickup. For me, it's the Ultimate Overdrive solution.Alaskan A's
Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska
Model A Ford Club of America
Model A Restorers Club
Antique Automobile Club of America
Mullins Owners Club
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Concur with all posts. Have one in a '35 non -Ford for which Mitchell Mfg. was very accommodating to help sort for that make.
Have had most of them , Ryan, Borg Warner, Peugeot in an A, and Mitchell is the best for a stock setup with great service.
Also have an F150 conversion by the previous owner ,which is like shifting a modern car .
Hope Mitchell wasn't affected by the fires in N. Cal.
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Originally posted by CarlG View PostI have the F150 4-speed OD in my pickup. For me, it's the Ultimate Overdrive solution.
Can you elaborate on the F150 trans? What is involved in making the conversion? Are parts all available off-the-shelf? Expensive?
Thanks,
Walt
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I bought a complete bolt-on kit. All parts necessary to make the conversion were in the kit, and no modifications to your vehicle are necessary with the exception of the wooden floorboard. The shift tower is moved aft about 1.5 inches. It is necessary for you to supply some parts for him to modify, which I just bought extras at Berts and sent.
Dave Delmue
Morgan Hill, California
408-722-2518
[email protected]
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No, Dave is the one I bought my kit from. I think both Gary & Dave build an excellent kit. Dave is just a bit closer to you.
At the time I bought my kit, Gary's kit required a modification to the frame cross member and Dave's did not. That may have changed by now.Last edited by CarlG; 10-21-2017, 05:19 PM.
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We have a brilliant tranny shop guy here in nearby Ft Worth that supplies the F150 conversions, Gary Bernard.
Our club pretty much either has the Mitchells or Gary's F150 with 4th as OD
(817) 624-4342
I am not aware of a website
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Thanks, Tbird. I spoke with Gary this afternoon and am awaiting receipt of his literature. Sounds like a winner, and Gary is really easy to chat with and very helpfull. When my CFO gives me the green light this spring, I'll probably go this route.
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Gary is top shelf and has supported the hobby for years, good luck, you are in good hands
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I know what you guys are thinking,but NO i am not the inventor of the Mitchell.
. Wish i was tho
3~ Tudor's & 1~ Coupe
Henry Ford said,
"It's all nuts and bolts"
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Mitch's Auto Service ctr
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Originally posted by CarlG View PostI have the F150 4-speed OD in my pickup. For me, it's the Ultimate Overdrive solution.
I also like the lowest price idea of just going with a 3.27 ring and pinion, so you don't even have to modify the driveshaft or tube.
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For those of you that have the Mitchell, which overdrive ratio do you prefer or would have the next time after a previous experience.
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Ha! Yeah I'd say that is perfect. Seems I've read the 33% is a better match for a 4.11 rear ratio. I don't know why you'd want that unless you are also getting their transmission with 15% higher ratio in the trans for 1st and 2nd. I'm leaning towards 26% with stock rear axle ratio and original transmission. I have until the first week of December to give them a final answer as they are now that far out on orders.
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Originally posted by Dennis View PostI have until the first week of December to give them a final answer as they are now that far out on orders.
Ill., Region MARC & MAFCA
MARC JSC Member
MAFFI Trustee
2023 Hamilton National Co-Chair
National Facebook Admin.
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Originally posted by tbirdtbird View PostWe have a brilliant tranny shop guy here in nearby Ft Worth that supplies the F150 conversions, Gary Bernard.
Our club pretty much either has the Mitchells or Gary's F150 with 4th as OD
(817) 624-4342
I am not aware of a websiteIll., Region MARC & MAFCA
MARC JSC Member
MAFFI Trustee
2023 Hamilton National Co-Chair
National Facebook Admin.
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Carl then your saying close to 5K???? for the F150??? Whooa..the mitchell is 2200.00 for the overdrive and I personally don't think you need the sacra tranny then but is that what your saying on the 150??Ill., Region MARC & MAFCA
MARC JSC Member
MAFFI Trustee
2023 Hamilton National Co-Chair
National Facebook Admin.
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Originally posted by tbirdtbird View Postdo not quote me, and I am not really sure, but I thought the F150 setup from Gary Bernard ran about 3K or so. I posted his number, give a call and ask for the literature.
I thought the Mitchell was up to about 2500, but I am not sure
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by MitchGo to a national meet, and you'll see that a large percentage of the Model A's that are driven are sporting a Mitchell Overdrive. That extra shifter in the car is the tell tale sign. I just posted a news letter tech article which tells of the advantages when using the gear split in different situations and not just for high gear. The O/D units cost in the area of roughly 2,400.00 but do seem to give...
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by davewwinter has set in and thinking of options. Would like to bump my speed from 45 to maybe 55. Would also like to do some longer distance touring. So-being new to the model A I'm looking at the four speed transmission conversions. People in Texas and California seem to have good ones and would look clean inside There is the mitchell overdrive but puts another shifter inside. But all kinds of gears. ...
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by gsnortI've been reading about the Mitchell Overdrive. This is meant for those members who installed one or had one installed. What is your opinion of the Mitchell. Is it worth the bucks? Thank you in advance....
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by MitchOriginal Thread
Go to a national meet, and you'll see that a large percentage of the Model A's that are driven are sporting a Mitchell Overdrive. That extra shifter in the car is the tell tale sign. I just posted a news letter tech article which tells of the advantages when using the gear split in different situations and not just for high gear. The O/D units cost in the area of...-
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by Tacoma BobLong story short: I need the measurement of the Mitchell G/S (overdrive) shift arm from the centerline of the splined hole to the centerline of the lowest clevis hole. I know I can call Mitchell but they are so busy I figured I'd get a quicker response. Cheers, TB...
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Channel: Model A Forum
07-18-2022, 09:44 AM -
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by SteveEAny ideas besides fabricating new parts or cutting my frame to make this Mitchell OD work without interference? Thinking a rod with a U-shaped channel to clear the frame and battery box or a longer shifter pivot arm linking the rod to the OD.
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by JDupuisI have no experience with the Mitchell Overdrives, or any Model A overdrives.
But have recently found one that is For Sale.
My question is; after viewing Snyder’s Catalogue, they list “3” different overdrives.
How can I tell which Overdrive Model, I will be looking at?
What are the differences?
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by DennisWell I'm getting ready to make a decision about my transmission. I have the original 3 speed in it and it's going to need a lot of work. I'm almost sure there's going to be something serious with the countershaft. I'm seeing bronze metallic the last time I dropped the oil. Sounds horrible in first, second, and reverse gear. Previous owners ran it low on oil, or it leaked out. I'd say more miles...
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07-06-2017, 10:09 PM -
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by OldgearzDoes anyone know if a transmission dipstick kit and a Mitchell overdrive can be put in a coupe? Is there room under the car as well as on the floorboard for the Mitchell shifter and the dipstick metal access plate without having to fabricate the access plate?
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Channel: Model A Forum
08-15-2021, 07:33 PM -
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by Bud_DI am in Ohio. For those who have ordered or received a Mitchell Overdrive recently, can you give me an idea what the shipping was or will be from California to your location?
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Channel: Model A Forum
05-04-2022, 10:55 AM -
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