2-speed rear end I.D.-Help Needed

[mikebowling]

Simple lever/connecting shaft to an "in/out" arm on top- driver's side of rear axle ( looks like a "Ruxtall" on a Model "T" rear but bigger)Only markings are "1600 T" next to arm, and a circled R on the bottom. Unit bolts in place of left axle bell, has a section of the stock tube in center, and has a different than stock end flange for a backing plate with juice brakes. Any input appreciated. Thanks, Mike

[James Rogers]

Columbia?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Not a Columbia, ...it is a Twin-X rear end Mike.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Is that an overdrive, or an underdrive?

Have you checked the ratios?

I'm guessing there is no speedometer correction?

[larrys40]

I believe Brent is correct. It is a twin x - .
Larry

[mikebowling]

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Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Is that an overdrive, or an underdrive?

Have you checked the ratios?

I'm guessing there is no speedometer correction?

No idea- I just got this and haven't really had to much time to tinker with it. Thanks to all for the feedback. Research will continue focusing on "Twin X" . Any more "info / links" greatly appreciated. Mike

[mikebowling]

Just checked an old post by "Brent", and saw pics of the "Twin X" in "Ron's Machine" coupe- BINGO , we have a winner.----- I'll try contacting them and see what else I can learn.----- ALSO....a bit uneducated in the difference between "underdrive" and "overdrive". I'm a carpenter by trade , and sometimes this automotive jargon is not part of my vocabulary. 67 and still learning! Thanks again for any info.

[larrys40]

actually having a twin X is a great thing...hopefully the guts are good. I have rebuilt many rear axles and about 6 columbia's and wouldn't think the twin X with it's dog clutch would be any trick.

carefull photographic disassembly and inspection is the key.

Larry Shepard

[lee in bend]

I have a Twin-X in my Victoria and it works perfectly. It is definitely an Overdrive and I am guess about 30%. I have been told they are not common and therefore worth quite a bit $$$. I understand it was made by Ruxtell in 1928 but didn't sell so the Twin-X went by the wayside. I'd sure like to know more about it. If you are able to learn anything please post it, I'm still learning.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by lee in bend

It is definitely an Overdrive and I am guess about 30%.

I am not really sure how it could be an overdrive as I would assume the fundamentals would be much akin to the Model-T Ruckstell ...which is an underdrive that uses planetaries and a sun gear.

Now that is not to say that Lee's Twin-X ring & pinion is an original 3.73 R&P. Maybe it has been changed out to something faster? Ruckstell actually manufactured a faster Ring & Pinions for their Model-T conversions which converted them from a stock 3.63 ratio to a 3.08. Therefore it is surely feasible they did the same with the new Model-A Twin-X set-up however if that is what happened, it really does not make the Twin-X an "Overdrive" in my view. And, if it truly is a 30% faster R&P over stock, that would make it a 2.60± ...which would be a lot. Especially in 1928 when the factory gear ratio was 3.70.


As a side note, Glenn Chaffin is reproducing the Ruckstell for a Model-T. A complete Ruckstell kit is approximately $2300.00. The Mitchell O/D is approximately the same price. Both involve the awkward shifting lever. Based on Mitchell already having established marketshare, I am not sure if the Twin-X conversion could ever sell well enough to warrant someone making a production run of them.

[Marco Tahtaras]

The Twin-X was manufactured by Price-Hollister Co. The "low gear" was 3.93:1 and described as "semi-direct". The high gear was direct drive at 2.84:1.

In 1925 Warford Corporation acquired control of an applicable patent (1,010,273) and the following year legal battles began. In 1933 Price-Hollister Co declared bankruptcy.

[Tom Wesenberg]

That's a neat setup. So, it's both an underdrive and an overdrive compared with the standard 3.78 ratio of most Model A's. Too bad they went bankrupt before producing many more of these.

[larrys40]

I agree. Do you have one vince? It would be a pricey venture
Larry

[mikebowling]

I sure appreciate all the info.- sounds like I ended up with an interesting piece . Once we recover from the winter, I want to study on that rear and hopefully run it in my roadster. I've got one coupe to get squared away first , and another one I started this winter that's going into storage for now, and then the roadster is getting a make-over. Busy, busy! Thanks again; keep the info. coming. I'm glad everyone is enjoying this. I personally love doing research and running parts down. Mike

[lee in bend]

Marco- I've seen this advertisement and I know that I have a Twin-X for sure. I'd sure love to get a schematic drawing of this unit so if I ever have to restore it I could have a map to follow. I'm hoping that with proper care it will run for a very long time. Any thoughts on value of this piece?