Quote:
Ross wrote:
Early fifties Ultramatic cars often were fitted with 3.54 axles which pushes them up to 83mph for a 327 and 94mph for the 288 without excessive piston speed. That's close to how fast a 288 is going to push one of those barn doors through the wind in any event.
As a contrast, an overdrive car is only turning 2100 rpm at 70 and feels quite relaxed. Its maximum safe speed (with 288)if Road and Track's number is followed is 118 mph--something it can only achieve over the side of a cliff. Mine is very happy at 80 but sucks up fuel like a fighter jet when driven that fast.
Ross,
Thanks for the specifics. I'm wondering now what final drive ratios were available in the '48-'50 Packards with 288 cid engines.
It sounds like the 3.54 would really be the ticket especially with a manual trans. Any
identifying marks on the differentials or axle tubes on these cars that can help determine the gear ratio installed?
The 288 sounds like a very sound engine. It's interesting to me that it will actually take a bit more rpm than the 327. I always assumed that the 327 was a bored out 288. I never looked up the bore and stroke, but now it sounds as if the the 327 was a "stroked" 288. I'm lazy, but I'll look it up if no one beats me to the answer!
Also, Ross, what is the fuel consumption rate of a fighter jet... or a Packard at 80 mph? And what's your typical fuel mileage at a more sedate 65-70? (Also, of course, is what final drive ratio you are running, whether you have overdrive, what carburetor is installed...)
Thanks for all the input everybody!
EDIT: OK, my trip to specland says the 327 had 3 1/2 in bore, same as 288, but 4 1/4 in stroke, a full half inch longer than the 3 3/4 in 288 stroke, thus, higher piston speed in the 327 and lower safe rpm limit. But you all knew that already, I suppose.
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