Engine builders.. how should I drive my 30 ccpu?

oljoe001

Member
Hi I have completely gone through my motor. 4 blocks to find one that wasn't cracked bored 060 over new pistons rings, new valves and seats (stainless) tour grind cam by the way what is the difference between stock and tour grind lift and duration? also high volume oil pump (the shaft size is smaller to allow more oil) balanced crank (from Ron's Machine shop in Ohio) lightened flywheel with v8 clutch Babbitt by Ron's Machine which was recommended by Snyder's Antique Auto. Pressurized center bearing and rear bearing oil return larger. high compression head 6.1 with stock Zenith which I made sure all jets are sized correctly running a car gear in rear end. Also stock authentic muffler. my design of floating motor mounts. The truck drives fine at 55mph barely into the throttle. I did not mean to drive it that fast but found my speedometer was off by 9 miles per hour @ 40 mph So My main question is... will It hurt my motor (Babbitt's) to drive it like that?
also how does the timing affect the life of the Babbitt's?
any information On those 3 questions would be appreciated.
thanks
Joe
 
Timing won't effect the life of the babbitt at all, that is, as long as the timing is correct. If it's too advanced, you'll pound the lower end out of your engine. You said "car gear" in the rear end? Do you mean 3.78? 3.54? 3.27? I'm not an engine builder, but i'd say you have a pretty nice set up there. Every engine/car has their own "sweet spot" that they like to drive at. Find that sweet spot and just drive. Nobody can really make an accurate guess as too how fast you should drive it through the internet, especially after a lot of mods have been added.
 
oljoe001,

It sounds to me like you have a great setup and it's eager to run. If it is broken in and running that well I would be very happy with it and I don't think you will hurt it one bit.

Keep good clean oil in it, don't lug, don't let it overheat, and drive it, the more the better

Richard
Anaheim CA
 
Hi I have completely gone through my motor. 4 blocks to find one that wasn't cracked bored 060 over new pistons rings, new valves and seats (stainless) tour grind cam by the way what is the difference between stock and tour grind lift and duration? also high volume oil pump (the shaft size is smaller to allow more oil) balanced crank (from Ron's Machine shop in Ohio) lightened flywheel with v8 clutch Babbitt by Ron's Machine which was recommended by Snyder's Antique Auto. Pressurized center bearing and rear bearing oil return larger. high compression head 6.1 with stock Zenith which I made sure all jets are sized correctly running a car gear in rear end. Also stock authentic muffler. my design of floating motor mounts. The truck drives fine at 55mph barely into the throttle. I did not mean to drive it that fast but found my speedometer was off by 9 miles per hour @ 40 mph So My main question is... will It hurt my motor (Babbitt's) to drive it like that?
also how does the timing affect the life of the Babbitt's?
any information On those 3 questions would be appreciated.
thanks
Joe[/QUOTE
Thanks guys, but it only has 625 miles on it I also am running a heavy duty radiator with thermostat and shaved water impeller so over heating shouldn't be a problem. I can climb hills without any problems ones that my old AA had to be in first gear the truck climbs in 3rd with power to spare which is why I was worried about the Babbitt's I adjusted my timing by first adjusting the steering column so that it would retard at the back touching the distributor housing so I would have a full advance setting
with the motor being top dead center the I set the cam so the points would just break at any movement (in direction of rotation) Which I check with my VOM meter. I don't not run the truck at full advanced its I adjust it to where it smooths and then stop. past that point it doesn't seem to make a difference in power but can hear a change in motor so I figured thats to far.
Joe
 
DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT! Today's road conditions are a million times greater then 80 years ago. An engine is made to run not sit in a garage. LOL
 
The reason I ask is some one told me the high compression head is hard on the Babbitt's I was also told that driving it past 45mph was hard on them. I guess that would depend on the gear ratio. It maybe some people will down something you own because they don't have it. That might account for misinformation.
 
oljoe001 On your #5 post,it sounds like you have an AA.There are no car gear ratios available for the AA. As far as I know,there are only two ratios available-the 6.16 & the 5.14 so-called high speed ratio.At 55 mph your engine will be screaming along at that rate.The only way you could begin to approach a car gear ratio would be to replace the coupling shaft with a 3-speed Warford aux trans that has under,direct & overdrive.In OD it may approach the 4.11 ratio used in a lot of pick ups or for cars used in mountainous areas.The Warfords are good but they are noisy in U D & O D due to the course straight cut gears even when they are in perfect condition.
 
oljoe001,

It sounds to me like you have a great setup and it's eager to run. If it is broken in and running that well I would be very happy with it and I don't think you will hurt it one bit.

Keep good clean oil in it, don't lug, don't let it overheat, and drive it, the more the better

Richard
Anaheim CA

Great advice..DRIVE IT like Henry Made it for!!!!
 
oljoe001 On your #5 post,it sounds like you have an AA.There are no car gear ratios available for the AA. As far as I know,there are only two ratios available-the 6.16 & the 5.14 so-called high speed ratio.At 55 mph your engine will be screaming along at that rate.The only way you could begin to approach a car gear ratio would be to replace the coupling shaft with a 3-speed Warford aux trans that has under,direct & overdrive.In OD it may approach the 4.11 ratio used in a lot of pick ups or for cars used in mountainous areas.The Warfords are good but they are noisy in U D & O D due to the course straight cut gears even when they are in perfect condition.
Hi columbia, No I use to have a AA I had to sell it to finish my pick up.
Thanks Joe, P S I do need to find out my rear end gear ratio I just know it came out of a car.
 

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I wouldnt drive it faster than 45-50 for the first 1000 miles or so. After that drive it where its comfortable, if it likes 55 drive it 55.
 
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