MTFCA Forum

I'm looking for a small drum Ruckstell for my 1913 touring. I'd like to keep the 12 rivet passenger side differential half so the car is period correct...(yes, I'm one of those guys)... I've seen that the Ruckstell has to be modified for the early closed spool differentials.... can anyone explain to me what modifications are required? And.... if I purchase a Ruckstell from a later, open spool differential, can that unit be easily modified for use with my 12 rivet closed spool differential half? Thanks in advance..

There is a lip that centered the spool on the opening. Later when Ford went to open spool it was eliminated. If the Ruckstell housing does not have the recess around the outside, then you would need to grind that lip off, or at least the half on the Ruckstell side. The center section I have that has Hall Scott name cast into it, has that recess, so check yours. BUT! make sure you are not messing up one of the rarer styles before you do any grinding.
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All of the Hall Scott axle housings I have are machined for the closed spool. I don’t have any later Ruckstell housings to compare with... but if you did need to machine the register, I imagine it could be done in a mill with an angle plate, a few clamps, boring head, and a lot of patience!

I have seen two ways of using a Ruckstell housing on an early rear end.

One was to machine the recess so the lip of the spool fits over the housing. My neighbor did this on the one I put in my '15. It took some setup but worked very well.

The other was to grind 1/2 of the lip off of the spool so it fit on the standard housing. The spool need to be mounted on the passenger side housing so it can be accurately marked, so you grind the correct area. I'm not an advocate of this but it's easy and works fine.

Find a housing that was made for the early spool. I've been lucky to have been able to find them.