I have a 37' Ford Phaeton that I want to make more roadable. Has anyone Installed a Mitchell OD in a 37' non truck? I have heard tales of floor cutting requirements and not. Any experience you have would be appreciated.
I've not owned one, but folks seem to say its a good product, and I think floor clearance is an issue. I went with a columbia in my 34 coupe, about the same money and its a bolt in
I was thinking of a Mitchel for my '41 p/u. IIRC they can build the unit with the planetary in different spots in the torque tube. Call them . BTW ,I didn't use the Mitchel because I don't like the stock transmission and I used an o/d trans.
I have one in my 40 Tudor and am completely satisfied with the result. I opted for the lever vs. the t-handle/cable and that did require a hole in the trans cover, not a big deal. I own an original 57 Chevy overdrive car with the t-handle setup and column shift and that combo is ok but my 40 has a 39 floor shift trans and having the levers next to each other is very convenient. The cost has gone up for them but what hasn't? I think they are a good value, easy to install and very well engineered.
I have one in my '47 coupe and I love it. I did have to notch the floor under the rear seat, it would hit on bumps, so I would imagine floor clearance in a '37 would be an issue.
Thanks, Its tough to find a good Columbia for a 37' plus the rebuild. The only local ones I see are earlier Types.
That's a regrettable, at least it's not the original floor. Do you remember which ratio you went with?
Usually the early ones are more rare. Most common columbias are the wider 46-48. They are a little more desirable internals, but need to narrow the housing. Your 37 housing is the same width as 35 40, so no need to be 37 specific. Ask John at Columbia two speed.com
I guess I assumed they were early because of the tight 5 lug pattern, I forgot they went small again later. Thank you for the tip! I will talk to John.
Yes, it is the 37% (I think) which is too tall for the 3.78 gear in the diff but I plan to put a shorter tire on the rear and that should help.
I went with the larger 36% and cable shift so there's a T handle under the dash. I have 3:78 and a tall rear tire but the healthy flathead pushes it along just fine. Cruises the highway at 70-75 all day. I just had to put a hump under the back seat. I fabbed up a little box under the back seat. Probably could do a nicer job now, I did this when I was 20, 20 years ago, but it came out okay.
I've got radials, 225/75 15, which is probably close to an 8.20 15. My car has a drop axle in the front and a few leafs out of the back. If it was lower the blisters might have to be taller but it's plenty of travel as is for how my car sits.
The rears are P235/75 R15 and are ~28" tall, I bought them before the OD was installed. The built flathead that was in the car at the time couldn't run more than 2000 rpm for long periods without getting hot and that was 55 mph. I've since put in a SBC and the OD and it's working out well. I also plan to change to bias ply tires soon.
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