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Old 12-02-2011, 03:34 PM   #1
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Default Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

Just saw this on EBay. Item # 330650403152

RUCKSTELL MODEL A FORD TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE 3 SPEED


I must admit that I haven't seen one of these before. They have also started to discuss it on the T Forum..
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Old 12-02-2011, 05:39 PM   #2
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

The tag on it says it's a "Dual High" which does not match the seller's description.
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Old 12-02-2011, 06:03 PM   #3
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

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Originally Posted by CarlG View Post
The tag on it says it's a "Dual High" which does not match the seller's description.
Look at the original advertisements from the era, they were advertised as a "dual high" transmission. Everything in the ebay add is correct.
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Old 12-02-2011, 07:57 PM   #4
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

We installed one of those Ruxtell transmissions in a Model A several years ago. I have to admit, I never checked the 3rd gear ratio. 2nd gear was quite a bit higher ratio then the stock Ford 2nd gear. The one we installed was NOS, and drove nice and quiet. The car we installed it in had a Twin -X two speed rear end, and 3.54 gears, and the car cruised at 75 effortlessly with the Twin X in overdrive. I have been involved with Model A Fords for 30 years, and have seen a handful of these transmissions. My only worry about owning one is a lack of available parts should it break. Just my 2 cents.....
Steve Becker
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Old 12-02-2011, 08:43 PM   #5
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

A Google search found a couple of 1931 ads on the Ruxstell overdrive transmission from Popular Science magazine.


http://books.google.com/books?id=9Cc...rdrive&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=n-M...rdrive&f=false
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Old 12-04-2011, 03:17 PM   #6
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

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Thought I would "Chime in" on this discussion. I have the Ruckstell transmission on Ebay for sale right now. This has been looked at by a few Ford enthusiasts and authorities, they all agree, this is one of the real Ruckstell transmissions. Saturday a Ford historian came down to my location from Detroit to inspect and photograph this item. He was in agreement, it's the real deal. This trans. is one that you remove your existing trans. and replace this with yours. The meaning of "Dual High" refers to this. 2nd gear in the Ruckstell is higher than the stock 2nd in a Ford Trans. and then 3rd in the Ruckstell is 25% overdrive which in the stock Ford Trans 3rd would be direct. This would be the "Dual High" meaning that both top gears in the Ruckstell are higher than the top two of the std. Ford. Again, this is a great item, great find and all looks to be in original and in very good condition.
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Old 12-05-2011, 07:28 PM   #7
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

So in modern terminology, it could be termed close-ratio rather than OD.
I have a little manual for this but no trans...
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Old 12-05-2011, 08:45 PM   #8
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

It is still overdrive,top gear is 25% higher than stock.I think it is termed dual high because second is higher also.I know of two,one is in a car that is stored away,and the other is in a garage that the owner planned to use at some point.I have never been able to get near either one of them.
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Old 12-06-2011, 12:12 AM   #9
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

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So in modern terminology, it could be termed close-ratio rather than OD.
I have a little manual for this but no trans...
Anything less than 1:1.0 is an 'overdrive' gear/ratio. So a 1:.89 is an overdrive gear. Stock A's are 1:1 for third, or 'direct drive'.

"Close ratio" is simply two gears that are closely spaced together regardless of them being an overdrive or under drive ratio. 1:1 for 3rd gear and 1:.89 for 4th gear are considered a close ratio gearing. 1:3.45 for 3rd and 1:2.90 for 4th are also close ratio. Close ratio trans are more common in 4, 5, and 6 speeds where you have enough gears to keep the engine in it's performance range while still achieving a decent high end speed.
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Old 12-06-2011, 11:19 AM   #10
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

I have made an Excel spreadsheet to use as a comparison. Click HERE to open this in a spreadsheet file and you can use this to compare a stock gear ratio transmission to this transmission. You can also use this to substitute a 3.25 or 3.54 ratio instead of a stock 3.78 ratio to see the speed and RPM differences.


The problem is I cannot upload this as an attachmenthere. Therefore here is a direct link if the other one gives you problems:
www.model-a-ford.com/Ruckstell_3_Speed_Comparison.xlsx
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Last edited by BRENT in 10-uh-C; 12-06-2011 at 02:17 PM. Reason: To add URL link for spreadsheet
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Old 12-06-2011, 11:26 AM   #11
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

Brent,
Link comes up "Page Not Found"
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Old 12-06-2011, 12:23 PM   #12
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

Mine opened up in Excel with some fiddling around on my part.

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Old 12-06-2011, 05:06 PM   #13
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

I don't have the latest version of excell so I can't see it.
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Old 12-06-2011, 05:36 PM   #14
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

Quote:
Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C View Post
I have made an Excel spreadsheet to use as a comparison. Click HERE to open this in a spreadsheet file and you can use this to compare a stock gear ratio transmission to this transmission. You can also use this to substitute a 3.25 or 3.54 ratio instead of a stock 3.78 ratio to see the speed and RPM differences.


The problem is I cannot upload this as an attachmenthere. Therefore here is a direct link if the other one gives you problems:
www.model-a-ford.com/Ruckstell_3_Speed_Comparison.xlsx
.
Wow, It looks like the Ruckstell really evens out the rpm shift points

Last edited by Kirby1374; 12-06-2011 at 05:42 PM.
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Old 12-06-2011, 05:44 PM   #15
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

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Originally Posted by Kirby1374 View Post
Wow, It looks like the Ruckstell really evens out the rpm shift points
For the skeptics that feel like a 3.27 rear end gear ratio is too much for a stock Model A engine, this Ruckstell transmission should be an "eye-opener"!!

Mike, I made 3 PDF versions (3.78, 3.54, & 3.27 ratios) and attached it for comparison. You can't play with ratios numbers, or RPMs with this PDF copy but at least you can see it.

.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Ruckstell_3_Speed_Comparison.pdf (48.7 KB, 69 views)
File Type: pdf Ruckstell_3_Speed_Comparison_3.54ratio.pdf (48.7 KB, 26 views)
File Type: pdf Ruckstell_3_Speed_Comparison_3.27ratio.pdf (48.7 KB, 41 views)
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Old 12-06-2011, 05:53 PM   #16
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

Quote:
Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C View Post
Mike, I made 3 PDF versions (3.78, 3.54, & 3.27 ratios) and attached it for comparison. You can't play with ratios numbers, or RPMs with this PDF copy but at least you can see it.

.
Thank you
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Old 12-06-2011, 07:42 PM   #17
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

Brent:
What are the first and second gear ratios coming out of the transmission, nevermind what the rear end is?
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Old 12-10-2011, 07:59 AM   #18
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

Sold for

$5,232.99

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Old 12-10-2011, 10:43 AM   #19
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

WOW, I have to wonder how many of these were made and if there is any more around!! Worth keeping an eye open for them......
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Old 12-10-2011, 10:58 AM   #20
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Default Re: Ruckstell model a ford transmission overdrive 3 speed

Thanks Brent . Great info once again...Dave
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