MTFCA Forum

I drive in really flat territory and generally use the Ruckstell in my 1919 all the time to take family on short 5 mile drives in my subdivision. My problem is the speed limit is 20mph and using Ford high is not practical because at 20 mph the engine lugs too much especially with 4 adults in the Touring. Am I worring too much or does this less than 50 miles per year really cause excess wear on the Ruckstell assembly?

I live in a subdivision and I essentially leave my ruckstell in gear and forget about it. It’s perfect for my weekend neighborhood drives to the park and the parades I do all summer long. No issues here, I just check the gear oil level monthly.

I wouldnt worry about your short infrequent trips.
I do believe you should set up a ruckstell for minimal use. In other words choose a gear set that minimizes rux.
As designed with standard gears used for hill climbing during normal driving situations.
If you go with 3-1 gears, you should be using direct much more than rux.
Running in rux for extended periods creates extra heat/wear in a unit that dosent lubricate itself real well.

I would think your T would be happy on level ground with a full passenger load at 20 MPH in Ford high. Is it possible something is adding extra drag, or that timing or carburetor mixture may be off?

Where I live there are hills to climb and descend to get to my house. Some I can climb in Ford high when driving alone but need Ruckstell with passengers. I also have an 1180' driveway which I use Ruckstell. On every parade I drive in Ruckstell. I pull the parking brake to neutral position and just alternate the brake pedal and low pedal or coast in neutral on the parade route. Many parking lots I use Ruckstell. I have been doing this for 30 years and not had problems with the Ruckstells in my cars.I like the standard ratio for the rear axle. One of my cars has a 3:1 ratio which was in it when I bought it. On tours where the standard T will go about 25 or more in high I have to shift to Ruckstll because I need to go about 30 or more or I lug the engine, so not so good on tours unless I am in front.
Norm

Like Mr. McNallen said, 20MPH seems awfully fast for lugging a T, even with a load. Maybe you have a high ratio in "Ford"? The T's I've driven will idle in high on level ground at a jogging pace so long as the carb is right and ignition is on BAT. As for wear I'm sure you are going much easier on it than your average operator back in the day.

I bought the large drum Ruckstell from Stan Howe some 20 years ago and he never mentioned a different rear ratio to the standard but in Ford High the T will do 20mph on flat ground just a little above idle. I do have a Z head and Stromberg OF installed but that should make no difference.

I went with a new Rux from Snyders as supplied by Chaffins. Best advice I ever had for it was from Bill Lucious at one of the All Ohio's. Go with standard 3:63-1 you will be pleased. By jumpin jimminy I am, thanks Bill.

Maybe your car has 3-1 gears?

Someone refresh my memory. With the Model T in Ford high and hand crank the engine one turn do I jack up and mark one rear wheel or both rear wheels to get the rear end gear ratio? My brain is foggy today….

I leave it in Ford High with wheels on the ground. I mark the location of the tire on the level floor and turn the crank until the wheels make one revolution. I count the number of turns of the crank to one turn of the wheel.
Norm

Great! Thanks Norm….