Enjoyed this. Reminds me of my youth (14-15) in the early sixties. A 1919 T touring car. Rebuilt the engine and trans, front end, spindles, rear axle, ring and pinion, bearings and such. Drove the chassis around sitting on the gas tank. Still have it. Good memories. Thanks for posting.
Yes, it has an optional Ruckstell two speed rear end in it. It was a popular option in the day and gives it four speed forward rather the standard two speed transmission. Jim
I love this video! it was made with the "cinema-vérité" tecnique. The viewer can feel all the sensations of driving this "Model T" chassis as he was driving himself. Congratulations! Greetings from San Juan, Argentina.
Wonderful fun taking a ride with you! Thanks Jim! BTW, I knew that was Washington before I read it. I could smell the fresh loamy air! Good luck on your project.
Thanks Jim, I am still a bit confused how it all works yet. Maybe once I get the old girl where she will stay running I can experiment with the gears? Great video you did. Thanks again for your help and insight.
Yes, similar to the standard transmission only there is not neural in the Ruckstell. It is in either high or low all the time. The left peddle of the Model T is a 3 position peddle. All the way up and the clutch is engaged and in high gear. Halfway down the clutch is disengaged. And all the way down, the clutch is disengaged and it tightens the low speed band for low speed. When shifting the Ruckstell sometimes push down to engage and sometime let up to engage to get 4 spds. Jim
Wow ! That was a great ride ! Thanks! I noticed that there is very little play in the steering, good alignment and tight tie-rods. A body, nah, who needs it ?
Yes, the transmission is the stock two speeds forward and one reverse with three pedals. The shift lever is for a two speed Ruckstell rear end. The Ruckstell was an option available in the day. Makes it a four speeds. Probably could "burnout" in gravel or snow. It is only 20 HP. Jim
Very impressive test drive! I have about a million questions to ask you, about this "car", but Im gonna wait till I whittle it down to about 10 questions lol! Congrats on your purchase sir...cheers!
This Model T has an optional 3:1 rear end ratio in the 2 speed Ruckstell rear end, This gives it four speeds forward and two reverse. The standard Model T has two forward speeds and reverse. Jim
The Model T has a 2 speed transmission operated by foot pedals. This one has an as accessory two speed rear end and that gives a total of four speeds. The hand shift lever operates the two speed Ruckstell rear end. Jim
i just watched your video great job on the restore on that classic.we don't know to much about the timing and the magneto.but you got it running very decent..we have a 38 chevy coupe but it is a street rod.has a 350 chevy in it.we take it to a lot of car shows take care we enjoyed your video.
Wow... that's some raw, backwoods motoring right there. Looks like really good fun! And a beautiful video to watch all-round as well. Nice work both on the car and the filming. Two questions: 1/ What'll she do, mister? :D 2/ Are the bullfrogs (or whatever was making the croaking noise) REALLY that loud? (You can tell I ain't local, can't ya)... like loud enough to come in clearly over the noise of the wind, engine, etc?!
Great video... I love the land, area you showed there... If I may ask... Where and at what cost would something like 'your spread cost' in todays market of 2012. Retired, USN Vet
It uses just regular gasoline and will also run on E85 (85% ethanol fuel blend). In the radiator it uses just plain water or water antifreeze mix. It the time it was made they did not make ethylene glycol antifreeze so they either drained the water out if it was going to freeze or used alcohol. Most use some ethylene glycol antifreeze just for the rust protection. 6 volt auto batteries are still available at auto supply and farm tractor supply dealers. Jim
No, it will not normally outrun the gestapo. Now if for some strange reason the batteries were dead on the Model T and all other cars, then the Model T will run on the magneto without a battery and all other cars would be dead in the water (or wherever they happen to be setting). Jim
No, I have no video of the steering. You can find some info in the service manual and the online Model T Ford Club of America forum is a great source of information. Jim
I have tree maybe a littel bit stupide questions regarding ford T: - What kind of fule are you using in it? Regular gasoline or a mixture? - Do you use water or antifreez as a coolant in the system. - Where do you get 6V batterys these days, that look like the old once back in the 1920s?
Thanks for taking us along for a ride. You've done wonderful things with that old T. Beautiful country where you're located. Love that bridge over the river. Good fishing?
mspenrice, Without the body it will do about 50 to 55 mph. Now with the body on it does about 45 mph. The frog noise is real but dubbed in from another time and place just for the fun of it. Thanks, Jim
Here is a good explanation: Instruction on how to drive a model T Ford detailed My car also has a two speed rear end and that is controlled with the shift lever to the right of the steering wheel. Jim
Jim Thode I seen one on RU-vid a few days ago that had 12 forward gears and I think 5 reverse gears. I’d love to drive one some day, I had a 31 A once but it was just like a modern car sort of.
Is that a Ruckstell rear end you are shifting? I just bought a 1925 Model TT ton truck with a Ruckstell rear and I am trrying to figure out how to drive and shift it !
+Scott Stemen Yes, that is a Ruckstell. With a low geared TT, unless you really have ton load you will likely never have to shift on the move. Just leave it in high all the time and put in low for loading or parades. Find details on the Ruckstell at: www.funprojects.com/pdf/RuckstellAxle.pdf One word or caution, NEVER try to down shift to slow down when going down hill. If you need to shift down, do it before starting down the hill. Good Luck, Jim
Just two speed rear axle and two speed transmission. The progression if you use all gears is: Low trans/low axle, low trans/high axle, high trans/low axle and high trans/high axle. That is three shifts of the rear axle.
+Luiggy20000 The standard Model T engine like this should put out 20 Hp. There are after market high compression heads and other modifications that will increase the power quite bit.
