Machining for a Ruckstell in a '14

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
schwabd1
Posts: 182
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:26 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Schwab
Location: Northwest Ohio

Machining for a Ruckstell in a '14

Post by schwabd1 » Mon May 03, 2021 2:45 pm

I've got a Ruckstell for my '14 and I understand there needs to be some machining done to get the pieces to all fit up to the '14 housing and/or spool. What needs done?


speedytinc
Posts: 3840
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
First Name: john
Last Name: karvaly
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
Location: orange, ca
MTFCA Number: 14383
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Machining for a Ruckstell in a '14

Post by speedytinc » Mon May 03, 2021 2:55 pm

Need more info. Do you have the proper early rux housing(made for early spool) & going to run an early D/S bearing housing with stock gear? Then nothing, bolts together with no issues.


Original Smith
Posts: 3284
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
First Name: Larry
Last Name: Smith
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
Location: Lomita, California
MTFCA Number: 121
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 16310

Re: Machining for a Ruckstell in a '14

Post by Original Smith » Mon May 03, 2021 3:52 pm

There is no machining needed if you have a '14 rear end in the car. Any torque tube should work, but you really need either the original or later. A 1921 or later will work, but will not have the lip.


Topic author
schwabd1
Posts: 182
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:26 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Schwab
Location: Northwest Ohio

Re: Machining for a Ruckstell in a '14

Post by schwabd1 » Mon May 03, 2021 10:27 pm

I have the proper 1914 torque tube, spool and housing. I don't have an early Ruckstell housing, it's a later one.


Topic author
schwabd1
Posts: 182
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:26 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Schwab
Location: Northwest Ohio

Re: Machining for a Ruckstell in a '14

Post by schwabd1 » Mon May 03, 2021 10:31 pm

Other than the '26-'27 ruckstell housing I didn't know there were an early and late small drum.


Dan Hatch
Posts: 4111
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:31 pm
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Hatch
Location: Alabama
MTFCA Number: 49974

Re: Machining for a Ruckstell in a '14

Post by Dan Hatch » Tue May 04, 2021 8:08 am

Open pinion spool or closed spool is the difference. Match the spool to which ever Ruckstell housing you have and no machine work needed.
May have to get pass side rear axle housing to match.


speedytinc
Posts: 3840
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
First Name: john
Last Name: karvaly
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
Location: orange, ca
MTFCA Number: 14383
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: Machining for a Ruckstell in a '14

Post by speedytinc » Tue May 04, 2021 8:19 am

Still dont know your gear ratio. Important!!.
I will answer for stock gears. (11/40) If you plan to use the early enclosed d/s spool, the rear lip must be removed to fit the later axle housing. If you use the later, open bolt spool, the drive shaft tube lip will interfere. Best to use a later d/s tube that dosent have the lip. They are more common. A dime a dozen.


Original Smith
Posts: 3284
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
First Name: Larry
Last Name: Smith
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
Location: Lomita, California
MTFCA Number: 121
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 16310

Re: Machining for a Ruckstell in a '14

Post by Original Smith » Tue May 04, 2021 10:35 am

Ruckstell made their small drum housings both ways. For with a lip, and without a lip.

User avatar

Mark Gregush
Posts: 4957
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Gregush
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Machining for a Ruckstell in a '14

Post by Mark Gregush » Tue May 04, 2021 11:14 am

First for the million $ question; original or new one?
Where the pinion bearing housing bolts to the Ruckstell, is it flat or stepped around the outer edge? If stepped then your 14 parts should just bolt up. The right side axle housing should bolt up to the Ruckstell. Ford did not change to the open spool or bearing housing till around 1921 so there were lots of T's with the closed spool and the axle housings were machined for it. Early up to 1925 small drum or it is the late 1926/27 big drum style. The up to 1925 lefts side Ruckstell housing might/should have the stepped area so it could have been mounted on more cars without changing the right axle housing, torque tube and pinion bearing housing. When you bought the kit it did not come assembled, you supplied some parts from your old rear end like the torque tube, axle housing, spool (bearing housing) driveshaft and not sure axles.

Question could be; what machining do you think or have been told needs to be done?

My OP, if I were installing a Ruckstell in your case, would use the 1915-1921 right side axle housing and not the 12 rivet one on the right side. I think it would just look better and might be stronger. Then you could use your 1914 toque tube and spool.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic