I'm heading to Bakersfield in 2 weeks, looking for a rear spring set for my '24 roadster and a used good condition standard ring and pinion.

Do the ring and pinion need to be a matched set?

If so, how do I tell?

Tom

I think the problem with using either a non matched set or even a matched set in rebuid is the difficulty of aligning the wear pattern. No matter how hard I try, I havent been able to get a quiet rear end using used gears. I gave up and now use new gears.

Never had a problem with mixing gears, but then, maybe being a little deaf may help!

I have mixed many sets myself. Usually works just fine. I also know of people using original matched sets that wound up growling like a mad dog.

When I checked the thrust washers in my roadster I kept the old ring & pinion. If it's noisy I can't hear it over the rest of the car.

Steve increase the size of your text. To damn hard read without increasing it on our side. Don

Don, here's how it looks on my screen.



Are you using a "smart" phone?

Steves,s text is always one size larger on my screen. I wish everyone used the larger size. Scott

I didn’t know there ever were matched sets for the T
I have done a few T rear ends and have NEVER used matched sets.
I have never ended up with a noisey differential either.
Just make sure they are not set too deep and leave .016 to .022” backlash and fill it up with 140 gear oil or something like 85-140 and you’re off to pleasant touring.
Oh, if the car is kept in an attached garage you’d better use synthetic gear oil so the leaks don’t stink up your house.

Maybe I should do this.

Hehehe! I gotta admit my browser's default text size (20) is a bit large for easy reading here on my desktop too.
I have an original matched gear-set here! They're wired together and rusty so they've known each other for a long time.
They're SHOT! it's funny, they'd probably do another hundred years and thousands of miles together.
I've been lucky with the 2 (2!) rear axles I've worked on.
A brand new set in the 18's rear end are set real tight and a mish-mash of who knows what in the 24 (prolly real loose), done 20 years ago.
They are both real quiet and the only time I hear either one (I'm a bit deaf too) is when I slow down and hear that sweet RRRRRRrrrrr.

Tom have very decent set pm me im going but not selling
I mixed and matched set for yearsNice thing is they are stra8ght cut gears if spiral cut gear mixed set can sing
Trick is get the shims and gasket set for gear lash the disassemble with your choice of sealant

Thanks EVERYONE for each and every answer, always a great help. I know I always say that, but I am always grateful!

PS. Hi Wayne and Duane

Bob, I pmed and emailed.

Tom

I don't think Model T ring and pinion sets were ever matched, even when new. The new hypoid sets for modern cars do.

Larry,

They were matched as in, they were both new and at new part specs. Versus gears with wear patterns generated by running with different mates.

A matched set of gears mean they were fitted together at the factory and ground together to get a matched set like the Model A's up. Model T's are not a matched set except for the ratio. They were just two gears grabbed out of the parts bins and installed. Of course after a few years the gears were worn in together, that could be called a matched set.

I ended up going to the Bakersfield swap meet and picked up Nevada Bob's ring and pinion. Thanks Bob, I'm very happy with them.

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

Tom

Hi Tom! How've you been? Glad to hear you found a set of gears.
Let us know if those gears "play well together" would you?
:-)

Hi Duane! I keep getting parts bit by bit, slowly but surely, I'm getting there.

Tom

Larry Smith is right, Fords Ring gear and pinion sets were never matched. They were just machined to match. Same is true of all of the new gears. Never had a problem with mixed gear sets . just make sure you give them about 0.010 clearance and that you have no end play in the drive shaft or side play in the differential.