Is 3.25 to 1 ratio in my ruckstell suitable to go pretty fast if I have OHV in my 26 roadster? Is it worth it to gear it up to 3 to 1? Or can I just leave the 3.25 to 1 and be satisfied? I dont really feel like taking my Ruckstell back apart if the 3.25 to 1 will give me plenty of speed. What are some thoughts on this?

well in the montana 500 the guys go about 58mph with stock gears and a stock head.

you have to look into what rpm you feel safe about spinning, then factor in your ratio and wheel size.

i would say 3.25:1 would be fine. because you could probably go 65 with that setup.

Overheads live for higher RPMs. They start to really breathe when flatheads max out. Leave the 3.25 gears in. If you have a bottom end that will put up with the revs the overhead will deliver, you can expect speeds well beyond 70 MPH. I know this from personal experience. Be careful with that kind of speed in a model T. Model T racers back in the day hit insane speeds with the stock 11:40 rear end gears.
Fordially, Erik

well heres the thing: im running 23 inch houk wire wheels and I am also running a stock crankshaft in a newly professionally rebuilt engine ( but stock). An I am going to put my Roof 16 valve head on the engine. Should I still stick with the 3.25 to 1? will 3 to 1 really bring the rpms that much more? im not looking to race this car. But i do want the best performance without straining the crankshaft too much.

lugging a model t engine is worse than revving a T a bit.

In 1955 my dad was clocked at 80 mph in his 1919 Speedster. It had a stock block with RAJO Model 30 head, and original (stock) rear end. No Warford, no Ruxtell, not underslung. See my profile pic for a look at the car back then.

Ruckstell made a 3.08:1 ring & pinion for the rear end.
I know of one car with a 3.08 and stock engine.
It goes like %^&*!
If it was too fast he is very capable of changing it so I assume it is a good combination.
I would not use anything faster than the stock ratio in a touring or a sedan though.Many who have done it have changed back to stock.

WOW dave! 80 mph with stock gears?!! thats crazy! That lizzie must have been shaking like a fat hooker on a cold night! So I take it the consensus is that 3.25 to 1 is probably a good combo and a little revving is probably good. (keep in mind I live in CT and it gets quite hilly in some parts around where I live). My car also is a 1926 roadster (no fenders or top or spare) but the body is still not the lightest thing you can have on a T.

The question is how are you going to stop it?

I have the large drum 26 27 rear end with rocky mountain brakes. I know that still probably isnt good enough, but I cannot bring myself to do something that is not period correct such as disc brakes.

be careful with those rocky mountains. they WILL NOT STOP when rolling backwards. i thought it was over exaggerated until i had the pleasure of a car equiped with them stall on a hill.

you could stand on the brake pedal and nothing happened.

Yea Ive heard that, but thats why i am going to leave the transmission brake band connected