Mitchell Overdrive, 26 and 36%

  • Thread starter Thread starter HS
  • Start date Start date
H

HS

Senior Member
Hello,
I'm considering purchasing a Micthell overdrive, I understand they are made in two ratios in 26% and 36% I just wondering if anyone has commets on those to ratio precentages? I was thinking about 26% but was not aware of the 36% ratio. what are some pros-cons for each precentage. Thanks in advance!

HS
 
HS said:
Hello,
I'm considering purchasing a Micthell overdrive, I understand they are made in two ratios in 26% and 36% I just wondering if anyone has commets on those to ratio precentages? I was thinking about 26% but was not aware of the 36% ratio. what are some pros-cons for each precentage. Thanks in advance!

HS
Click to expand...
They have quite a few ratio's, Mr. Mitchell even talked to me once about an 18%. I run a 31 tudor and in 2001 went to 3:27 gear and in 2003 added the 27% mitchell od. Wouldn't trade my running gear off for nothing. The real plus in the Mitchell is having the split for 2nd gear when you have the best cam and extra power you wake up a SPOTTED AS--- APE. tHE DRIVING PLEASURE YOU WILL EXPERIENCE IS UNBELIEVABLE . You will not be limited to the down side of a bone stock A. Go for the Mitchell . Have fun modelAtony tony white Lafayette, LA
 
I have a strong touring motor with the Mitchell syncro transmission and 3:54 rear end gears with the 26% Mitchell overdrive. Very good combination. Once you drive one you will love it. If you use the 3:78 rear gears, I would go with the 26% with a stock motor. If you have a touring motor, I would go with the 36% Mitchell with the stock rear 3:78 gears.
 
I also have had the Mitchell for almost 8 years, and loved it. I got that 26%, which is what almost all of them come with, and it works very well. I have the 5.5 HC head, but otherwise stock, and would think 36% is too tall for most folks. With the 26% I can cruise easily at 60-65 mph, which in an otherwise stock Model A is about as fast as I need or care to go. The 36% would make more sense if you had one of the lower gear ratio rear ends.
 
Thank You all,

I have a strong touring engine and a stock rear end at 3:78
so I thake it, The 36% Micthell Overdrive would be OK
But with the 26% I guess that would be fast enough for me

Thanks,
HS
 
Here's another combo. I run a 3:54 with an older Ryan 23% overdrive ( would use current 26 percent Mitchell) and hc head
It's a good cruiser in the low end and highway as well
You have plenty of low end in the A anyway. I had the 3:54 in first and added the Ryan afterwards and thought I would change back to 3:78 if need be but never felt it couldn't handle it so they are both a great combo for me
Larry s
 
If you put a 36% overdrive in a stock model A it'll fall on it's face when you throw it in overdrive. You would have to have a very strong touring motor to support this. But even then, it would be an awkward combination in my opinion. A 26% overdrive will do everything you need & more.
 
"I have a strong touring engine"

we don't know just what you have. hotter cam if so which one. HC head, if so which one. Lighter 283 style pistons with narrow rings to seal better and give a higher dynamic compression? Larger intake valves?

36% is prolly too much
 
Jordan said:
... in my opinion. A 26% overdrive will do everything you need & more.
Click to expand...

Concur. I run the high-speed rear with a 26% Mitchell and rarely get into the overdrive except in lower gears. I may be weak in the engine department but, any higher gear would be useless for me.
 
I have a 378 and a Ryan 23 percent overdrive in my Vic. Seems like a good combination to me. The Mitchell 26 percent is what I would use with a 378. When the Borg Warner overdrives were in vogue 33 percent was the most common and it was too high for a 378. in many situations it would lug the engine. A 411 would work better with it.

Tom Endy
 
I ran a Mitchell 26% ahead of a 4:11 rear end for a while with a tired engine and the 21 inch wheels. I now have a "touring" engine, inserts and oil pressure raised to 35#. That is with the same 26% Mitchell in front of 3:54 gears. It handles that combo real well with 16 inch wheels, but that is too tall of gearing for the 21 inch wheels. Mitchell tells me I'm about where the car started with the 3:54 and 16's about a push with the 3:78 and 21's.
 
Hi all

Thanks for everyone input/comments. That really helped. I have a stock 3.78 ring gear and I have decided to go with a 26% Mitchell overdrive. I called Sue Micthell yesterday, she indicated 26% was their big seller and she thought the 26% would be the best fit for my situation. I also called Don Snyder and he also recommended 26% for sure! Sue Mitchell did tell me that the wait time is now 12 weeks for the overdrive. I wish, I could find one quicker than 3months.

Thank You Again,
HS
 
12 weeks is about standard for them. They can't make them fast enough.
But well worth the wait, I assure you. A beautifully crafted piece of engineering made by AMERICANS for AMERICANS. The workmanship just exudes from it!
 
Dave,
Thanks,

I have 19" wheels with a stock 3:78 Ring gear in the rear end.
Thanks,
HS
 
Terry
I have 3:54's in my S/W Town Sedan and am looking at the 26% Mitchell. Some are telling me to leave the 3:54's in and run it. I am thinking it is a little to tall with the high speed gears? What rear end gears are you running? I think 3:78's with a good touring motor and the 26% over drive should be a good mixture?
 
I don't recall who, but someone is running 3.27 and an overdrive, and says he does fine. It would seem a bit much to me. My Studebaker has a 4.54 rear end and a B/W 33% overdrive, which kicks the ratio down to 3.19, which is OK, but I'd have thought Studebaker would have used a 4.11.
 
As most have already said, and those of us who own them state, for most folks the 26% OD with the stock 3.78 rear end is ideal, even better if you have a HC head. I like to use my Mitchell a lot, even in town on surface streets when I am going 45...it is wonderful and so easy. A higher rear end or OD ratio is going to limit its usefulness, unless you have a stronger than normal touring motor with some serious hp.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top