Are you happy with your Mitchell Overdrive?

O

Oldgearz

Senior Member
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
I never knew they were syncronized. The B/W units have freewheeling, so how about the Mitchell's?
 
Gene F said:
I never knew they were syncronized. The B/W units have freewheeling, so how about the Mitchell's?
Click to expand...

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. :eek:
 
Last edited:
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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
TerryH said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top