***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 8:36 pm
MTFCA Forum
Model T Ford Club of America
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***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
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Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 12:25 am
Martynn, there are variants of the casting which mounts around the ball on the back of the transmission. One consists of two separate castings, each fastened to either side of the ball. They are much less prevalent than the type you have drawn. Others may be able to advise/show photos, but it may not be worth indicating. Photos were posted some time back in an old thread, but I have no idea when nor the title of the post, except I remember Bruce Csorba from Australia posted them.
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:00 am
Allen, I know of those posts saw them on the old forum, but nobody is making that stiffener that Larry Original Smith said was "quite common". I think it is because this bracket is waaay thicker than that old one, so the stiffener isn't needed any longer....but it might be something I should draw just to cover all the bases. 
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 6:01 am
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:44 am
Martynn - late production shifters (perhaps Eaton ?) were splined so as to position the lever to one's preference albeit scarce compared to the type you have illustrated - I have a "loose" one to photograph if interested.
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:39 am
I have one of the splined shifters on my January 27 Tudor that I believe is original to the car. I like the ability to position the shifter to the best position for me.
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:30 pm
The 26-27 are harder to get the shift lever just right. I usually cut it off and then tap the upper end to fit a bolt which just fits into the knob. Then I cut off the bolt and screw one end into the shaft and the other into the knob. The reason for this is the short distance between the seat and the switch, ammeter plate. If I leave it full length, I hit the key when I go into high. It takes a bit more arm strength to accomplish the shift, but I can also put my leg over it when it is in low or under it when in high which makes it much easier to get in and out from the right side of the car to the drivers seat.
Norm
Norm
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 4:16 pm
The stiffener was supplied originally and is needed IMHO. It should be shown, otherwise how do people know. . This, especially if the reproduction casting is made from brass or aluminum, which I’ve seen lately. Just my nickels worth, love the drawings you do, t
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:21 pm
I use the style posted, but like the first design more, because it moves my leg away from the lever about two inches. They never made a plate for the floorboards.
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 12:47 am
For the square shaft fitment, it is easy to put a bend in the lever to get it just where you want it. Sure, the spline gives greater 'adjustment', but a bend will give the same result.
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 8:51 am
Here are pictures of the shifter stiffener plate that came with my shifter. It is now mounted on the car and inaccessible for more pictures. Note that it has the word "passenger" stamped in it to show the correct orientation when installed. Please excuse the non-Ford bolts. 
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:24 pm
Mark, I would be interested in that spline fitment too, if you've got pictures....this one with the stiffener plate is a different designed bracket....would take another drawing maybe to show it....or maybe I could add it to this one....will work on it some.
Larry, I know the trim plate wasn't offered back in the day, but today it is, so I made a reference to it as a box item.
Personally I don't like the center shifter, I prefer the Pillow Block left hand shifter, it's out of the way and since it's just basically a 2 position lever switch and doesn't require any wiggle room like a Model A's shifter, can't see the any reason to put the blasted thing in the middle of the floorboards. The next assembly is the Left Hand Pillow Block Assembly.
Larry, I know the trim plate wasn't offered back in the day, but today it is, so I made a reference to it as a box item.
Personally I don't like the center shifter, I prefer the Pillow Block left hand shifter, it's out of the way and since it's just basically a 2 position lever switch and doesn't require any wiggle room like a Model A's shifter, can't see the any reason to put the blasted thing in the middle of the floorboards. The next assembly is the Left Hand Pillow Block Assembly.
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:48 pm
My shifter arm has the tapered square hole, no splines, sorry.
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:51 pm
Agree about the left side shiftier. I recently posted some pix of a modified 2nd parking brake unit for that purpose. It makes for a really clean setup. It might be of interest to you.VowellArt wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:24 pmMark, I would be interested in that spline fitment too, if you've got pictures....this one with the stiffener plate is a different designed bracket....would take another drawing maybe to show it....or maybe I could add it to this one....will work on it some.
Larry, I know the trim plate wasn't offered back in the day, but today it is, so I made a reference to it as a box item.
Personally I don't like the center shifter, I prefer the Pillow Block left hand shifter, it's out of the way and since it's just basically a 2 position lever switch and doesn't require any wiggle room like a Model A's shifter, can't see the any reason to put the blasted thing in the middle of the floorboards. The next assembly is the Left Hand Pillow Block Assembly.
"Left Side Rux Shifter" july 2.
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 4:48 pm
I'll get you photos, Martynn - I'll be baaaacccchhh !
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:22 pm
I'm back - here you go, Martynn.
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 12:40 am
John, yes I'm interested in any pictures of the Left Hand set up.
On the link that was posted, is that really a TT's Ruckstell Shifter Assembly? If it is I'd like some more pictures of it as I'm also doing the TT Ruckstell (which seems to be sort of a rare item, even though there a loads of them around). Also what is that spring for between the two brackets?
On the link that was posted, is that really a TT's Ruckstell Shifter Assembly? If it is I'd like some more pictures of it as I'm also doing the TT Ruckstell (which seems to be sort of a rare item, even though there a loads of them around). Also what is that spring for between the two brackets?
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 5:03 am
Hi Martynn,
Here are some TT Ruckstell housing pictures. My shift lever is 'home made' so probably not of much use for reference
Here are some TT Ruckstell housing pictures. My shift lever is 'home made' so probably not of much use for reference
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 5:06 am
Re: ***1913-1927 Ruckstell Shift Lever Assembly***
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 5:18 am