The Ford Barn

lee in bend · 09-12-2013, 02:49 PM

I have one of these rear ends in my Victoria and need to know if anyone can tell me anything about how to maintain it. I try to shift it only at very low speeds as it tends to grind a bit at higher speeds and that isn't good. Been told these are not common and am considering changing to a Mitchell and preserve this unit. Talked to Steve Mitchell about it recently at the NW Regional Meet in Bend, OR. He said he'd never seen one of these. Thanks in advance. I don't come to Ford Barn often but I'll come back to see if anyone has any info.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 09-12-2013, 02:59 PM

I would contact Ron or BJ Miller at Ron's Machine in Shandon, Ohio (513-738-7353) as they have one in a Model-A Coupe that they use to pull their teardrop camper with. They have rebuilt it and it does well.

,

Charlie Stephens · 09-12-2013, 03:03 PM

Unless it is giving problems I would leave it alone. I bet it starts a lot of conversations with people you otherwise would never meet. Maybe you could even place a mirror under the car like they did at custom car shown in the sixties to show off their chrome undercarriage. I saw one of these at a swap meet about 30 years ago but none since.

Charlie Stephens

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-12-2013, 04:35 PM

NEVER heard of that rear end, BUT, I'd trade Gregg for it & that teardrop trailer, Chief had a Blue trailer, much like that one. He called it, "OUR ROUTE 66 AIRSTREAM"! Bill W.

Drive Shaft Dave · 09-12-2013, 07:18 PM

The Model A Accessories book I have show's the Twin X.

Bruce,Upstate NY · 09-12-2013, 07:43 PM

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THE twin X is a planetary underdrive like a Ruckstell as used in a T Ford. They were available with close ratio gears in direct drive, giving a closer highway ratio. They use a dog clutch, so they aren't a smooth shift. Tapping the clutch and backing off the throttle when going from low to high and tapping the clutch an giving a little more throttle when down shifting make a reasonably good shift. Shift should be a good snap of the lever from one ratio to the other. A lazy shift could cause you to be free wheeling and having to stop to get it back in gear.

columbiA · 09-12-2013, 08:19 PM

THE Twin-X Overdrive is a very rare unit.I looked & looked,but couldn't find one.I modified a 40 Ford Columbia OD to fit.It has given no problems in over 100,000 miles.The Columbia has a planetary OD.

kelley's restoration · 09-13-2013, 08:54 AM

i want one if there is one out there for sale
tk

larrys40 · 09-13-2013, 09:32 AM

Sounds like Brent has you on the right track for some seasoned Twin X experience contacts.... Probably like the Columbia, they may have some weaknesses. They are a rare piece. As I understand they may freewheel... which is one feature I wouldn't like. If I'm incorrect here please know I don't have any personal experience on them.
I just know they are enormously rare.. and would be cool to own one if you have the chance.

Having rebuilt a number of Columbia's and running one in my own '40, they are a beautiful overdrive. The planetary set acts like a huge flywheel and just effortlessly pushes the car along.... I'm also running a Ryan in my '30 Tudor with a 3:54 gear set back from the '80's . When I installed it I had the 3:54 in the car from when I restored it early 80's, and thought I'd try it and if it didn't work out go back to the 3:78. Sure you have to shift early once in a while but I have a strong engine and Snyder HC head and it does just fine. Have logged many miles including several trips to Colorado, Pikes Peak, other mountain roads and passes and the 6 speeds has been wonderful to have. I was of course on the BR Tour this past spring.

After having installed and ran the Ryan, a number of Mitchell overdrives, and the Mitchell trans... in other folks cars, My best opinion for the Model A is the Mitchell overdrive...as I find it just a little more natural shifting a stick shift than a cable for the Columbia in the "A". It's part of the aura of the car for me. An option would be to use the electric shift valve (B3X) from John Connelly and have a switch on the dash or gear shift. They also need a clutch lockout for the shift valves. I have dealt with a number of the Mitchell Trans and they are good as well.. but honestly I personally like the feel of the stock Model A trans. In my opinion with the overdrive, it allows the car and you to cruise much more comfortably with less engine RPM's , water pump/fan, etc and everything else so much in addition to gaining a few miles per hour on the freeway. That said... anyone who installs these should make sure the rest of your mechanicals is top notch, steering, brakes, front end, wheels,tires.. etc

Just my 2 cents worth!
Larry Shepard

09-12-2013, 02:49 PM	#1
lee in bend Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 29	TWIN-X 2-Speed rear end I have one of these rear ends in my Victoria and need to know if anyone can tell me anything about how to maintain it. I try to shift it only at very low speeds as it tends to grind a bit at higher speeds and that isn't good. Been told these are not common and am considering changing to a Mitchell and preserve this unit. Talked to Steve Mitchell about it recently at the NW Regional Meet in Bend, OR. He said he'd never seen one of these. Thanks in advance. I don't come to Ford Barn often but I'll come back to see if anyone has any info. __________________ Always Learning about Model A's 1929 Standard Roadster 1931 Deluxe Roadster 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500

09-12-2013, 03:03 PM	#3
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,030	Re: TWIN-X 2-Speed rear end Unless it is giving problems I would leave it alone. I bet it starts a lot of conversations with people you otherwise would never meet. Maybe you could even place a mirror under the car like they did at custom car shown in the sixties to show off their chrome undercarriage. I saw one of these at a swap meet about 30 years ago but none since. Charlie Stephens

09-12-2013, 04:35 PM	#4
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: TWIN-X 2-Speed rear end NEVER heard of that rear end, BUT, I'd trade Gregg for it & that teardrop trailer, Chief had a Blue trailer, much like that one. He called it, "OUR ROUTE 66 AIRSTREAM"! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

09-12-2013, 07:18 PM	#5
Drive Shaft Dave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New hope Minnesota Posts: 742	Re: TWIN-X 2-Speed rear end The Model A Accessories book I have show's the Twin X.

09-12-2013, 07:43 PM	#6
Bruce,Upstate NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, NY Posts: 385	Re: TWIN-X 2-Speed rear end Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) THE twin X is a planetary underdrive like a Ruckstell as used in a T Ford. They were available with close ratio gears in direct drive, giving a closer highway ratio. They use a dog clutch, so they aren't a smooth shift. Tapping the clutch and backing off the throttle when going from low to high and tapping the clutch an giving a little more throttle when down shifting make a reasonably good shift. Shift should be a good snap of the lever from one ratio to the other. A lazy shift could cause you to be free wheeling and having to stop to get it back in gear.

09-12-2013, 08:19 PM	#7
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: TWIN-X 2-Speed rear end THE Twin-X Overdrive is a very rare unit.I looked & looked,but couldn't find one.I modified a 40 Ford Columbia OD to fit.It has given no problems in over 100,000 miles.The Columbia has a planetary OD.

09-13-2013, 08:54 AM	#8
kelley's restoration Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 60046 Posts: 888	Re: TWIN-X 2-Speed rear end i want one if there is one out there for sale tk __________________ anyone need some Model A restoration work done in Illinois? shoot me an email for pics and information [email protected]

09-13-2013, 09:32 AM	#9
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: TWIN-X 2-Speed rear end Sounds like Brent has you on the right track for some seasoned Twin X experience contacts.... Probably like the Columbia, they may have some weaknesses. They are a rare piece. As I understand they may freewheel... which is one feature I wouldn't like. If I'm incorrect here please know I don't have any personal experience on them. I just know they are enormously rare.. and would be cool to own one if you have the chance. Having rebuilt a number of Columbia's and running one in my own '40, they are a beautiful overdrive. The planetary set acts like a huge flywheel and just effortlessly pushes the car along.... I'm also running a Ryan in my '30 Tudor with a 3:54 gear set back from the '80's . When I installed it I had the 3:54 in the car from when I restored it early 80's, and thought I'd try it and if it didn't work out go back to the 3:78. Sure you have to shift early once in a while but I have a strong engine and Snyder HC head and it does just fine. Have logged many miles including several trips to Colorado, Pikes Peak, other mountain roads and passes and the 6 speeds has been wonderful to have. I was of course on the BR Tour this past spring. After having installed and ran the Ryan, a number of Mitchell overdrives, and the Mitchell trans... in other folks cars, My best opinion for the Model A is the Mitchell overdrive...as I find it just a little more natural shifting a stick shift than a cable for the Columbia in the "A". It's part of the aura of the car for me. An option would be to use the electric shift valve (B3X) from John Connelly and have a switch on the dash or gear shift. They also need a clutch lockout for the shift valves. I have dealt with a number of the Mitchell Trans and they are good as well.. but honestly I personally like the feel of the stock Model A trans. In my opinion with the overdrive, it allows the car and you to cruise much more comfortably with less engine RPM's , water pump/fan, etc and everything else so much in addition to gaining a few miles per hour on the freeway. That said... anyone who installs these should make sure the rest of your mechanicals is top notch, steering, brakes, front end, wheels,tires.. etc Just my 2 cents worth! Larry Shepard