Ruxtel transmission

[Chris Haynes]

I spoke with a gentleman today who told me his A had a Ruxtel transmission in it. It replaced the Ford transmission. He mentioned that the shift pattern was different and that is was an overdrive. I had never heard of this before. Anyone have information on it?

 

[CWPASADENA]

A while back, I saw an old advertisment for a Ruxtel "Dual High" Transmission for your Model A Ford. I have never seen one. I am sure it is a very rare piece.

Chris

 

[John LaVoy]

Ruckstell made a transmission for the Model T that gave it an overdrive. I had one in high school. Once the Model A came out they came out with the "Ruckstell Two Quiet High Transmission that was advertised in the Ford Dealer & Service Field magazine. The ad says it "replaced the standard Ford transmission without cutting or changing, or conflicting in any way with the essentials of the Ford car."

I have never seen one in a Model A. But it sure would be nice to find one.

 

[Special Coupe Frank]

I would doubt that Ruxtell sold as many of the Model A units as they did for the T, due to the A's faster factory top-speed.... and the relative lack of high-speed roads during the Model A era.

I would hazard a guess that most of the Ruckstell Model-A four-speeds were purchased by owners living the flat mid and south-west... probably sold few if any here in hilly NE Pennsylvania.


When the V-8 was introduced, I imagine the speed-demons went for that rather than the four, and the market for the Ruckstell four-speed further diminished.


Chrysler offered a four-speed "double-high" transmission during the 1930-31 model years, but the option was dropped due to slow sales.

 

[Bick in New Zealand]

Bert's in Colorado had a A for sale earlier in the year that was loaded with Rucksell gear including head, trans, and diff. the story went that they were all NOS from someones uncles dealership that had never sold during the era.

 

[Benson]

Yes Bick it was sold at Bert's.

As I remember the car was in fact built from NOS Ruckstell parts by the fellow (the new parts were from a family dealership) that bought Saunders and Sons Model A parts house in Denver after John died. The car sat for a number years after it was completed. These pictures were taken before it could be cleaned up.

The spring leaves are unique. The harmonic balancer was Ruckstell also as I remember.

The second gear (transmission and OD was of Ruckstell design) was very high and car would easily reach 55 in second gear (that might have been in OD maybe, not sure).

The carb is from a Ford Econoline van from the 60's.

Intake was a Markesey (sp?) brothers of Denver design made from an A intake as you can see. A number of these were sold in the 70's or 80's.

I was in hurry that day and shot these pictures so here they are.

SOSS magazine or another mag had an issue with details on the Ruckstell speed parts.

 

[Benson]

More pictures ....

 

[redmodelt]

The head look to be Ruckstell also.

 

[FL&WVMIKE]

Benson .....................
That set-up has to be rare ! How many out there like that ? Anybody know of any others ?
MIKE

 

[HoarseWhisperer]

September 1930 Ad

 

[Benson]

FL&WV Mike.

That was the only one I have seen. Maybe other folks know of more?

I just wish I had the money for one of the trans / OD setups!

 

[Special Coupe Frank]

Wow !

So, this particular car had both the four-speed ****** AND the two-speed rear ?

Would imagine those NOS Ruckstell parts would equal the value of the car they were installed in...

 

[Benson]

SC Frank,

Yes both transmisson and OD and in addition it had the special spring leaves front and rear (see pictures) and the harmonic balancer in the pictures.


I think these last two items were Ruckstell also but not sure about that.

 

[SteveB31]

The trans in that car was an NOS Ruxtell 3 speed transmission, and the rear end had an NOS twin X rear end (2 speed). The head was a polished NOS Ruxtell head. The trans had a very much taller 1st and 2nd gear and would drive easy at 60 mph in 2nd gear NOT in overdrive. The head was OK, but only about 5 to 1 compression. The trans was wonderful and quiet. The twin x rear end was also quiet and ewasy to manually shift. All in all , very rare and functional accessories. Sold the car last spring to a local guy who loves it. Steve @ Berts

 

[Model A Man]

Hi Chris. A guy in our club has one in his 1931 open cab pick up. He also has an overhead on the motor. come to the next meeting on July 15, he is usally there and brings his A