maximan revs

[Bill OH]

In 1950 I twisted a stock 221 with 3.78 gears and 6.00 x 16 shells to 68 mph in 2nd. Really hummed. I could always count on 86 to 88 mph top end and once hit 92 mph. I had another 38 221 that would do 89 mph. Never blew either engine. Had a lot of fun dusting off the Chevies.

 

[40 Deluxe]

In 1950 I twisted a stock 221 with 3.78 gears and 6.00 x 16 shells to 68 mph in 2nd. Really hummed. I could always count on 86 to 88 mph top end and once hit 92 mph. I had another 38 221 that would do 89 mph. Never blew either engine. Had a lot of fun dusting off the Chevies.

68 MPH in 2nd is about 4950 RPM. 90 MPH (in high) is about 4080 RPM. This is, of course, assuming the speedometers were accurate (highly unlikely!).

 

[Bill OH]

I have another 38 ford that I restored with a 221, 3.54 gears, 6.00 x 16 tires and the speedometer is accurate with a GPS. At 50 mph in second, a Snap-On tach shows 5,000 rpm at 50 mph.

 

[SUHRsc]

'35 Roadster 3.54 rearend - single 97carb LB 221" will do 90+mph ... so around 3800rpm? Run out of breathing it seems around there but not lacking in power....

 

[Hoop]

As well as running out of air, it's possible to run out of spark.

Wonder if Bubba has any knowledge of what rpm the stock helmet or crab and coil setup starts to crap out?

 

[SUHRsc]

I dont know about the actual spark... But I rebuilt the mechanicals in my stock '35(40) distributor with an 11A advance ... It doesnt start jumping points till around 8000rpm

 

[Kahuna]

My Helmet distributor with 11A advance parts was run on my friends' distributor machine
to 3000 rpm (6000) engine. No spark scatter or misfires (has Pertronix module).

 

[Ken/Alabama]

This much!