Re: Engine, Tach, and Speedster Questions

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2009/1/4 8:56:13

I would be very curious to hear other opinions from experienced operators of 320 8 cyl. engines on max. sustained rpm.

I guess I qualify as an "experienced operator", having driven my 1934 Eight (1100) about 45,000 miles over the years. That's the 320 engine with babbitted rods, also the first year with oil cooler and finned connecting rods. Car weight is 4640 dry weight so about 5000 lbs or a little more with a full load of 25 gallons of gasoline, water, driver and passenger. To that weight must be added the weight of the optional 6th wheel and trunk rack and trunk. 55 mph is about the maximum comfortable speed, 45-50 mph more comfortable. As a closed car it has the standard rear axle gearing of 4.69. I've driven one of the lighter open cars, an 1101 with a 4.07 and a few closed cars with the aftermarket 3.98 or so; they aren't as nice to drive, you're in lower gears more around town and on the highway require more frequent downshifting on upgrades. For my type of driving the factory 4.36 rear would probably be my choice. Available ratios in 34 ran from 4.07 to 5.08.

To keep all this in perspective, we need to remember than in 1934 the majority of roads in the U.S.A. were not yet paved and there weren't many opportunities to exceed 50 mph.