MTFCA Forum

I am about done installing a left hand shifter in my 1921 touring. I have not driven it yet using the ruckstell (there was no shift rod when i got it). Before taking it on the road i would like to check to be sure the geometry of the shift rod is right and that it shifts properly. My question is can i run it on jack stands to see if all is right?

I don’t see why not but take all safety precautions.

I don't think trying to shift it while running it off the ground is a good idea...

Block the wheels, and I'd even secure the rear axle to something secure in case the car falls off the jack stands. OR find someone who has a HP/Torque dynamo and borrow their pit...

Ruckstells are almost indestructible. Depending on the front shift rod mount, you can almost place the lever anywhere you want it.

I think you can run it on jack stands, but you can shift it on the ground by just getting the car moving slowly and then try to shift. The important thing is to have both the engine and the axle moving while the shift is attempted. To shift down you give it a little gas, and to shift up, you slow the engine while it is being shifted.
Norm

Reminds me of 1978, a couple of years after I bought the coupe. I didn’t have a mentor, other than Bruce McC at the other end of a phone line, so I had to learn to drive in the garage, no barn in those days. I had it on jack stands and Heather told me what the wheels were doing. Backwards, forwards, fast and slow. Remember I had assembled the axle using logic and no books, as I wasn’t really sure I had the crown (ring) gear on the correct side.
Since then I have checked dozens of Regular and Ruckstell rear using the same technique.
I much prefer the left hand shifter as you can modulate the throttle to make (mostly) noiseless gear changes. In fact we have a Warford on the 1914 Touring which provides both a lower and overdrive, which is nice on the Southern Cal highways but I still don’t like the shifter on the right hand because of the throttle issue.

If the geometry is visualy that far wrong you spot it on install
Heres my left hand shift put the front pivot same location as stock center shift L&R except 4" closer