Mitchell Overdrive

Anyone have a tach along with their 4.11 and Mitchell? I was in a friend's '36 with a 411 and his Columbia, it still sounded like it needed another gear at 60 mph and was running around 3000 rpm. I have a 3.54 in my '36 and even with that run around 2800 rpm at 60 and it sounds like it needs another gear. A Columbia would be nice but everyone tells me it will lug the engine.
 
Thank You Kevin I'll keep that in mind.
A columbia my first choice, is hard to find and then it has to what they call "bullet proofed"
If my floors weren't original and replaced at one time,then I would't mined cutting.
I drove a 51 with O/D in high school so I know what Sam means,and it was 12 yrs old.
Maybe I'll just stay the coarse,I'm 74 and we senior citizens are always accused of driving to slow anyway.
 
Hi Jim,


I'm with you on this but I do know that Columbia 2-Speeds get pricey. T5's, Mitchell's, etc. kind of go away from keeping things mostly stock Unless mods have already been done to the car.



jimTN said:
Go with a Columbia and avoid having to butcher up your car. Columbia set ups were made and engineered for Fords.
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I have a Columbia in my 3-W coupe and a Mitchell in my 1/2 ton P/U.
I actually like the Mitchell better. Both are great but I prefer the Mitchell.
They both do the same thing.
 
Using a cable to shift an overdrive is fairly simple. The only adaptation is making a clamp for the cable sheath at the overdrive. I push the knob to shift into OD, and pull it to go back. My OD is mounted directly to the rear axle, and since it moves with the springs, a cable avoids moving a lever mounted to the body
 
My '41 came with 3.78 gears and I was just not happy with the rpm and racket needed to keep up with Interstate traffic. Considered Columbia and Mitchell but ended up changing the rear end to 3.25 ratio. I am very pleased with performance cruising and in traffic. That is a little tall for a stock engine, but if you have a 4" or better stroke and a a stock or mild street cam, there is plenty of torque for low speed maneuvering and starting off on hills. With room, strength, patience, and reference materials, you can do it yourself. I was short on all of that, so I had Walker Smith hot rod shop do the gear change for me. It must be done precisely, and experience in this job is very beneficial to get it right the first time. The gears and gaskets are $400 from Van Pelt, and the shop should be under $1,000. Good luck with whatever route you take.
 
Hello from Germany,
this is my first post here…

I have a 36 Cabriolet with 4.11 rear, 39 gear box and a french flathead.
Without the Mitchell I was not able to drive more than 50 miles an hour.

Now 65 miles are fine, although I do not have a tach connected.

I bought it from Macs, and they said that we did not have to cut the floor.
But it had to.

By the way, I did not do it on my own, it was a shop here in Germany.

Greeting
Conrad
 

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That is a professional looking installation. I'm kind of surprised about the 50 mph maximum with the 4.11's; they are low, but I had a '36 3-window with a 276" Merc, a '39 box, and 4.11's, and it would do a lot more than that.;)

Glad you like the Mitchell, though.:)

Welcome to the "Barn".
 
I was going to go with a Coumbia and have the parts but at this point I do not think I will get to it. Age & health changes things ! kx
 
Our 33, when it had the 4.11 gears and the stock 33 babbit engine would run up to 75 mph as smooth as silk
Lawrie
 
I have 411 rear in my 40 coupe with a Columbia 2 speed, in direct drive the tach is reading 2950 rpm at 60 mph. In overdrive it reads 2000 rpm if that helps anyone.
 
Pete pa said:
I have 411 rear in my 40 coupe with a Columbia 2 speed, in direct drive the tach is reading 2950 rpm at 60 mph. In overdrive it reads 2000 rpm if that helps anyone.
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Hey Pete ! How tall are the rear tires you are running ? Thanks in advance - F F
 
Someone from Middle of the country sent me an email and I am not able to reply ! Computer problem or ME Sent him a reply and told him I am from ma and National V 8 Club member and in the roster .. He can try again if he wants. Not going to Hershey for the first time in Many many years. but maybe someome could arrange transportation if it is the problem. kerk i
 
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