Re: Hill climbing with standard eight?

Posted by DavidM On 2017/6/17 2:56:18

Lemuel, I have toured extensively with two different 633's each with 4.33 :1 rear axles, they both performed strongly on hills. It took quite a steep hill to need second then they would climb anything. They both cruised at up to 50 mph , any more than that and they were revving too hard, if that happens to yours at 45 mph it suggest yours has the 4.69 axle which should allow excellent climbing. Maybe your engine tune is not optimal, timing or mixture.
I have never eperienced the vacuum tank emptying as described by Peter despite have climbed some long steep hills, the vacuum tank on our Packard has a particularly large reserve capacity. I have experienced vapour lock under those conditions but your description does not fit that problem.
In answer to your question, I have never selected second gear approaching a hill and can usually maintain speed in top gear over all but steep hills.

Maybe your spark is retarded or as you say it's running lean but it is capable of much better.