Woo hoo 65mph

[christian]

I know this isn't much of a post, but I just took my newly driver restored fordor s/w on the highway and was able to maintain 65mph, GPS confirmed woo hoo, now that's fast......

[V4F]

good for you !! mine will do that also . amazing

[H. L. Chauvin]

Christian,

Great news!

As compared to an original stock engine and/or different add-ons, what particular engine components are under the hood?

[al's28/33]

the faster you go, the harder to stop

[Roadster Rich]

Why!!!!

[Duffy1]

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Was that as fast as it would ? How many RPM`S? Do you have OD? Fellow in our club said he has had his up to 80 mph . Has all the goodies except over head valves .

[christian]

It's a standard motor, last on the road in 1954. Unknown if its ever been rebuilt. Everything is stock except for a 5.5 snyders head and 1935 16" wheels.

I don't plan on crushing at the speed for an extended period of time, just wanted to see what it could do.

[Purdy Swoft]

Unless you are running big tires on the rear, (700-750---16) , thats pretty fast. Smaller diameter wheels tend to have a gearing down effect.

[Mitch//pa]

mazel tov

[christian]

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

Unless you are running big tires on the rear, (700-750---16) , thats pretty fast. Smaller diameter wheels tend to have a gearing down effect.

I figured that was the case, but the tires are just 6.00-16. Do you think if I went with the original 19s I may be able to get a little more out of it?

[Purdy Swoft]

Maybe, I'm sure that the Snyder head helps some. Speedometer could be off.

[christian]

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

Maybe, I'm sure that the Snyder head helps some. Speedometer could be off.

Speedo doesn't work, using GPS

[Pat Martone]

That is a great accomplishment.
Perhaps this is my inherent sarcasm surfacing, but when non-Model A people ask me how fast my Model A will go, I sometimes reply with a statement that the proper question might be: "How fast can it stop".
For me, I feel that speeds much higher than 50-55 mph are kind of scary, given the Model A suspension system and brakes. I have excellent tires, steering, suspension, and braking, but I still don't like traveling at speeds above 50-55 mph, especially with all of the distracted drivers out there. Others may have better Model A's than me and/or more courage.

[kp]

I been wantin a 31 4 door Slant window ,my coupe is really hard to get in and out of .Bout 55 is all I ever go mine up to ,by original speedometer,I think the 16 inch wheels make 'em drive better,I want to change my 19 to 16.

[christian]

Originally Posted by kp

I been wantin a 31 4 door Slant window ,my coupe is really hard to get in and out of .Bout 55 is all I ever go mine up to ,by original speedometer,I think the 16 inch wheels make 'em drive better,I want to change my 19 to 16.

Being 6'1" I appreciate my fordor very much....

[steve s]

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

Unless you are running big tires on the rear, (700-750---16) , thats pretty fast. Smaller diameter wheels tend to have a gearing down effect.

Originally Posted by christian

I figured that was the case, but the tires are just 6.00-16. Do you think if I went with the original 19s I may be able to get a little more out of it?

I too am wondering/concerned about what rpm's you were turning. 16" tires are close to running a 4.11 rear end. Didn't it sound like it was really wound up tight? I wonder if maybe you've got a high speed rear end and don't know it.

I think that putting on 19" wheels would be get you "a little more" in a few senses of the word: Larger diameter and less rolling resistance should buy a bit more speed, but the decreased stability will definitely get you closer to the true 65 mph Model A experience!

Steve

[Jim.Morris2831]

Forgive me for sounding like rain on a picnic with this one. We're all different, we all have our comfort zones, there's no speed limit for Model As as long as we're obeying posted limits on the road we're driving down. So here it is, I must say that I feel very uncomfortable in my A when I exceed 45mph so I stay under 45 and have never wanted an overdrive, downdraft carburetor set up, and high speed related. This is a '31 Deluxe Tudor with a high compression head (great for getting up hills), good brakes, rebuilt steering box, seat belts, and new tires. Like all A's it has a high center of gravity, easily sprung doors, soft roof, non-ABS brakes, non-existant airbags, skinny tires, rigid steering column, and no crumple zones just to name a few serious limitations designed by age. When I go around a stop sign or stop light corner at 10 miles or less per hour I lean into it and hope the car stays upright. I'm appropriately defensive and watchful when I drive, but not paranoid. I think that if you're driving an A at high speed and you can absolutely guarantee the absence of stupid drivers, animals dead or alive, holes, bumps, and guarantee high speed on a straight road with no chance of an accident or other snafu then you might be safe. I guess I don't understand the need for speedily driving in cars that were not designed to go fast and were not designed for safety except for the windshield safety glass to prevent a "glass necklass." I love driving moderately, taking in the scenery, and enjoying peace of mind. If I need to get somewhere fast I drive my Murano or take a plane.

[Purdy Swoft]

I think that 19 inch wheels would let it run faster. My 31 tudor with a completely stock professional rebuilt engine with side bowl zenith carb will run 65 mph. My old 31 coupe would run 65 mph with a stock overhauled by me engine with a Tillotson model X carburetor. Both of these cars have 19 inch wheels and are both 3.78 gear ratio with stock 4.22 compression heads. With 19 inch wheels and your snyder head, I think you will pick up a few mor mph. If 5.50 x 19 tires were used on the rear it would probably change the final drive to somewhere near 3.54 and would gain a few more mph and have an rpm lowering effect.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

I think if you look at a tire catalog, or site, you'll find that the 19" and 16" diameters are very much the same. Some even larger. Depends on the size ect.

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by Chuck Sea/Tac

I think if you look at a tire catalog, or site, you'll find that the 19" and 16" diameters are very much the same. Some even larger. Depends on the size ect.

I'm looking at a Coker catalog right now!! I see Firestone 600X16 tires listed at an outside diameter of 21.91 inches tall. The commonly used 4.75X19 Firestone lists an outside diameter of 29.80 inches tall. Actually there is quite a bit of difference , nearly eight inches or about four inches in ride height over the 600X16 inch tires. Taller tires will just run faster if you've got the horses to kick it. The Firestone 550x19 is listed at 31.25 inches tall. I had a set of the 5.50 X 19 Firestones on the back of my old august 1930 briggs town sedan. The speedometer didn't work but it would hallazz once you got it going.