Mitchell Overdrive

Model A Ron

Model A Ron

Well-known member
Hello Everyone
I am new hear and would like to hear comments from people who have installed a Mitchell Overdrive. Was the install difficult? I know the Model A is happy at around 45 but what is your new top driving speed with the Mitchell? Also after having the OD installed are you happy with it and would you do it again?

Thanks for the comments.
Ron
 
The Model A was designed to run all day long at 45 mph with the engine turning over at 2000 rpm. With a Mitchell 26% overdrive and with a standard ring & pinion you can run all day long at 55 mph with the engine turning over at 2000 rpm.

A Mitchell overdrive is a good choice.

Tom Endy
 
I definitely would install another Mitchell. I like the way they work and shift and you can use them as a "Gear Splitter" which can be very helpful when driving in the mountains. I have done a lot of touring with my model A and the Mitchell makes it much more enjoyable.

I can run along very comfortable at 55-60 MPH and even 65 if necessary but as Tom Endy said, the engine is very happy at 2000 RPM.

I also have a Mitchell Transmission which also is a big improvement.

My experience.

Chris W.
 
Brent
At what speed will a restored Model A run at for extended periods of time? How fast would you run a restored A with a 26% Mitchell?

Thanks
Ron
 
I don't like driveshaft overdrives and their associated shifting mechanisms. They add unsprung weight which you definitely don't need.
I use T5's or Richmond's. About the same price either way when all done.
 
CWPASADENA said:
I definitely would install another Mitchell. I like the way they work and shift and you can use them as a "Gear Splitter" which can be very helpful when driving in the mountains. I have done a lot of touring with my model A and the Mitchell makes it much more enjoyable.

I can run along very comfortable at 55-60 MPH and even 65 if necessary but as Tom Endy said, the engine is very happy at 2000 RPM.

I also have a Mitchell Transmission which also is a big improvement.

My experience.

Chris W.
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Chris
Thanks for the information. I would think 2000 RPM at 55-60 would be about as fast as I would like to go in an Model A under normal conditions. Should you have the need to go faster how fast can you push it with a Mitchell for extended periods of time?

Ron
 
Gotta agree with Brett, there are so many 'pretty cars with poor running gear outthere...I run a michell OD,3.78 rear, 30.5" tires and about double the power of a stock engine through modification..run freeway all day and have fun in traffic. And no 'roadside seminars' either..
 
Tom Endy said:
The Model A was designed to run all day long at 45 mph with the engine turning over at 2000 rpm. With a Mitchell 26% overdrive and with a standard ring & pinion you can run all day long at 55 mph with the engine turning over at 2000 rpm.

A Mitchell overdrive is a good choice.

Tom Endy
Click to expand...

I agree with Tom, me and my Model A are happy at 55mph. I could probably push it faster but why?
 
The Master Cylinder does not reveal where he is but, around here 55 would be pretty dangerous. LA traffic is brutal and no courtesy for old cars. I have an A pickup that cruised well at 65 with an OD. Now with a different engine it may be different. Questions about braking become more important at that speed. Answers are clouded by the meaningless word proper. Good Luck: Fred A
 
I’ve had a Mitchell in my Town Sedan for 15 years now, and just love it. It is a must for freeway driving here in S. California, where I go 55-60 very nicely. But I also use it all the time on our surface streets; as soon as I hit 40 mph I shift into OD.....just like a 4th gear. Driving a model A 45 in OD is sublime......so quiet. I would not own a Model A without a Mitchell OD.
 
Installing a Mitchell in my Vicky and am considering using the cable shift they offer. Anyone used this combination and thoughts.
 
Kinner said:
Installing a Mitchell in my Vicky and am considering using the cable shift they offer. Anyone used this combination and thoughts.
Click to expand...

I have a cable shift in 2 of my cars. Not much difference driving but less clutter in the car. Changing from high second to low 3rd gear is easier and I do that often.
 
I installed a Mitchell last March and love it. The only part that I didn't do myself was to stick the driveshaft splines into the U-joint, needed my neighbor to push the assembly forward and rotate the tire that was off the ground to align the splines.
 
I have the Mitchell overdrive in my car and love it. My engine is more powerful than stock. I can cruise at 55 easily. I use the overdrive in second gear to extend the hill climbing ability which is useful while driving on back roads in the mountains. Also good for going down the same roads. I don't use the overdrive in low or reverse so it is like having a 5 speed transmission. Second in overdrive is about half way between second and third without overdrive so it is very handy.
 
Fred A said:
The Master Cylinder does not reveal where he is but, around here 55 would be pretty dangerous. LA traffic is brutal and no courtesy for old cars. I have an A pickup that cruised well at 65 with an OD. Now with a different engine it may be different. Questions about braking become more important at that speed. Answers are clouded by the meaningless word proper. Good Luck: Fred A
Click to expand...

Fred A, sorry for the confusion. I meant with the O/D my Town Sedan is happy at 55mph, I didn't mean to say I actually drove 55mph in LA traffic. :eek:
 
It took me a while to decide if I wanted a Mitchell O/D transmission or the O/D. I finally decided on the O/D.

I installed the Mitchell in July 2020 by myself (70 yo, Covid thing and all that). It would have been a LOT easier if I had help. I just took my time and followed Tom Endy's advice and left the rear spring in the car. Glad I did as I found some shackle problems, see picture.

If you are planning on ordering one I would order direct from Steve or Cindy. The Vendors tack another $400 on the price. It took 15 weeks for my Mitchell to arrive by UPS (again because of Covid-19). I hope the Mitchell's are catching up on their orders again.

When I ordered the Mitchell I thought about going with the cable but decided on the shifter. The area where the shifter comes thru is not usable anyway. Notice I did extend the Mitchell shifter 4" so I didn't have to reach for it.

Besides it is fun watching people discuss why it has "three shifters". :p:p

Around town I use mostly 2nd low and 2nd high. I love being able to shift down for corners and hills, sit at a light with the Mitchell in neutral, too many other advantages to list.

Only con, not the fault of the Mitchell, is the stock trans still has the large gap between 2nd and 3rd. And yes I could go to 3rd low after 2nd high but most of the time I'm too lazy...

I did not see it mentioned but Tom Endy has a very good article on installing the Mithell O/D https://www.brattons.com/media/wysiwyg/1H-Mitchell-OD-Inst-Restorer-Mar-Apr-2012.pdf

50993896911_fcf09a02aa.jpg


Broken Shackle
50127391092_9b8bf72d3e_w.jpg
 
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