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Old 04-19-2011, 03:18 PM   #2
Bruce Lancaster
Member Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Madison, NJ
Posts: 5,230
Default Re: Flathead highway speeds

80 is in reach for many, some can go faster stock. Engine speed you want to run is probably the main limiter for most, within the range below arrest. Your likeliest rear ratios are 4.11 (engine really buzzing on the highway) and 3.78, fairly busy but not too high. Lube your speeedo cable!! If that doesn't do it' I can send you how to lube speedo bearing ideas.

Ford Service bulletins had a "Performance" road test section. This gave measurable standards for speed, acceleration, and economy, so if a customer complained that his car wass too thirsty or too slow, the dealer had a check to see if car was running to spec.
On the level road speed test, a '35-'37 85 should be able to hit in the 84-86 range to pass muster. A '40 Merc 239 with 3.54 standard seems to be the fastest of the period. It was expected to hit 95 flat.
My '48 could indicate 160KPH/100MPH, but who knows with what accuracy at the end of the speedo scale.
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