Re: straight 8 engine

Posted by PackardV8 On 2012/9/27 16:59:17
Peter Packard gives sound advice in his above post. His rpm numbers are spot on. Note that this question and Peter Packards answer of 2500 to 3000 RPM is not a Packard specific rpm range. Those rpm figures are mostly par for just about ANY engine of the prewar era and engines prior to the HP revolution of 1955. OF course there mite be an exception or two. Only one i can think of off the top of my head is maybe the Crosley 4 cylinder capable of very high rpm. A good rule of thumb is if an engine is flat head AND compression ratio under 8:1 then its a 2500 rpm engine. I don't care who made it, where or when.

Bottom line: it's a 2500 rpm engine with occasional room to breath for passing and a bit of hot rodding up to a momentary 3K rpm.

FOr interstate highway use for sustained speeds above 55 mph then an overdrive and maybe a very long ratio rear axle are a must.

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