The Ford Barn

my50ford · 09-06-2015, 04:12 PM

I have a 37 Ford with a V8 60 and my top speed seems to be about 45 MPH. The engine seem to run strong and does not seem to over heat but I can't seem to go more than about 45 in 3rd gear. I don't know if my problem is carburetor or distributor. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks

jimTN · 09-06-2015, 04:21 PM

Stock 37s with a 60 had a 4.44 gear in the rear end. If your engine is winding up tight then sounds normal. If you want to make a change, 4.11 gears are common and work with minor hills. If you are in flatland country a 3.78 might work.

tubman · 09-06-2015, 04:29 PM

I don't know much about 60's, but I wouldn't think Ford would have sold a car in 1937 with a top speed of only 45. I think there may be something that needs attention. I may be wrong because it's just a gut feeling I have, but something doesn't seem right.

34PKUP · 09-06-2015, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

I don't know much about 60's, but I wouldn't think Ford would have sold a car in 1937 with a top speed of only 45. I think there may be something that needs attention. I may be wrong because it's just a gut feeling I have, but something doesn't seem right.

In '37 most likely the speed limit was 45 mph or less. Most of the highways weren't even built yet.

RKS.PA · 09-06-2015, 04:47 PM

When I was calibrating my speedometer in my '39, I found an app for Android called "Altitude". It also gives you MPH as check to see if you're really only going 45.

Dick.

Capt Kirk · 09-06-2015, 05:19 PM

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I'm sure it's just me but when I'm in my old car/truck, I'm not out to set any speed records. I have a 56 chevy truck with original drive train. Original rebuilt 283 that's been beefed and dressed up a bit. That truck will put your head through the back window in 4th gear but scooters are passing me at top speed on the highway. I'd say 55 is a comfortable speed for that truck. My 35 Cab seems to be very low geared too. When I'm in these vehicles I'm not in a hurry to get from point A to point B...point B is back home again...with ice cream dribbled all over the front of my shirt!

Capt Kirk · 09-06-2015, 05:20 PM

Battery operated gps will give you speed too. Stick it to your windshield and go for a ride.

Pete · 09-06-2015, 07:28 PM

A stock 1940 Ford with a V860 would do 60 mph by the speedometer.

jake197000 · 09-06-2015, 09:31 PM

just put an engine in a 37,cruising speed seems to be about 50.didnt try it old tires but on the flat id bet it will do 65.

Phil Gillespie · 09-06-2015, 09:36 PM

See you have just changed carb. You need to check you are running correct sized jets.
Too small, too lean a mixture will affect your top end speed.
Phil NZ

Phil Gillespie · 09-06-2015, 09:38 PM

Correction. your carb has not been changed, but still pay to check correct jets are fitted.
Phil NZ

my50ford · 09-06-2015, 11:44 PM

I think the problem may be the carb. How do I check the jets?

deucemac · 09-07-2015, 01:25 AM

Regarding the power of a V860 to reach any high speed in stock form, I refer to a conversation I had many years ago with an old time Ford mechanic. His view on a V860 was, and I quote"The only engine I ever worked on that you could change spark plugs while it was running and see no loss of power!" So 45 with minimum power at your disposal and 4.44 gears doesn't seem out of the question. Remember that Ford even went to a tube axle on them to help reduce weight pulled bu the V860. Modify the snot out of them and use them in midgets and small boats and you have a chance. Having them in a full sized car and the deck is stacked against them.

Kurt in NJ · 09-07-2015, 01:38 AM

The 39 std with 60 ---a fresh engine built with NOS parts except block would do more than 75, but couldn't make 80
the usuall speed I drove it on the parkway was about 70, fuel mileage suffered above 65---about 20 mpg, keeping it below 60 gave 25 mpg

I found that coils that were "ok" for 85hp would break down in a 60, eventually ended up with a remote mounted coil

scooder · 09-07-2015, 01:58 AM

My50ford,
Listen to Kurt, that's what your 60 should do. If it won't, something's up.
How is your coil?
Martin.

JSeery · 09-07-2015, 09:44 AM

My dad drove a v60 (39 coupe) for years in the 40s. I am seeing him today, I will ask. I have heard some funny stories about having to back up steep hills! But as far as I know he also drove it at highway speeds on flat ground. And as for the lower speed limits in the past, not sure where your from, but in Kansas there were no maximum speed limits until sometime in the 50s and I can assure you that almost everyone took advantage of that by driving as fast as their car would allow. I had a stock model A in the 1960s and it had no problem with 60 mph.

skidmarks · 09-07-2015, 09:56 AM

I had one that started easy. Ran smooth and could putt around but if you tried to get up and go it would fall on its face. It had a bad coil.

Bruce Lancaster · 09-07-2015, 01:57 PM

Kurt's right on, according to Ford.
I've posted a couple of times about the numbers in the "Performance Services" section of the Ford Bulletins. These bulletins gave minimum acceptable performance numbers for top speed, acceleration, and gas mileage to be used as diagnostic tools by dealers. Essentially, if a customer complained about mileage, power, or speed, the dealer made a specified road test that resulted in a number...if the car made spec, the driver had a problem; if the car ran below spec, the dealer had a problem to fix.
The bulletins I have from 1938 and 1940 give 76 MPH as the speed standard for a 60 with 4.44 rear. This test was by the car's own speedometer, and old car speedos tend to read a bit high towards the ends of their scales, but that's the number Ford thought your car should be able to reach.
Incidentally, top speed test was to be done "if advisable"...I guess not-advisable applied if dealer was next door to the police station, or if customer's car had bald tires. In the not-advisable situations, dealer was instructed to buzz the hell out of the heap in first gear to assess its high RPM behavior, but no numbers are suggested.

my50ford · 09-07-2015, 02:04 PM

I have a remote modern 6 volt coil. I've had the car for quite a while and before I took it off the road to restore it , I was able to run at 55 & 60 mph all the time.

scooder · 09-07-2015, 03:38 PM

Bruce,
Thank you very much for your posting, I've refered to those minimum figures in the bulletins a few times, be it top speed or mpg figures.
Every time I pretty much get accused of making it up, or smoking something or "those were marketing figures like the old horse power figures, just because it says that, it don't meen it'll do that"
I try to explain that these were not used to bump up sales. They were the minimum, and if the car couldn't get those figures, it should be fixed.
So glad you used these bulletin figures. Maybe the nay sayers will believe you? Hope so.
I have numbers here that state the V8 60 with 4.55 rear gear should do 55 mph (this is close, can't put my hand on the book at the mo) in second gear before the valves bounce. If it won't, you have bad valve springs. If it won't do 55 but no valve bounce, states the ignition should be tested.
I bet there spitting coffee right about now. They underestimate these old Ford's.
Martin.

09-06-2015, 04:12 PM	#1
my50ford Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 8	V8 60 Top Speed I have a 37 Ford with a V8 60 and my top speed seems to be about 45 MPH. The engine seem to run strong and does not seem to over heat but I can't seem to go more than about 45 in 3rd gear. I don't know if my problem is carburetor or distributor. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

09-06-2015, 04:21 PM	#2
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,645	Re: V8 60 Top Speed Stock 37s with a 60 had a 4.44 gear in the rear end. If your engine is winding up tight then sounds normal. If you want to make a change, 4.11 gears are common and work with minor hills. If you are in flatland country a 3.78 might work.

09-06-2015, 04:29 PM	#3
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,146	Re: V8 60 Top Speed I don't know much about 60's, but I wouldn't think Ford would have sold a car in 1937 with a top speed of only 45. I think there may be something that needs attention. I may be wrong because it's just a gut feeling I have, but something doesn't seem right.

09-06-2015, 04:47 PM	#5
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oro Valley, AZ Posts: 1,250	Re: V8 60 Top Speed When I was calibrating my speedometer in my '39, I found an app for Android called "Altitude". It also gives you MPH as check to see if you're really only going 45. Dick.

09-06-2015, 05:19 PM	#6
Capt Kirk Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Clarkston MI Posts: 830	Re: V8 60 Top Speed Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm sure it's just me but when I'm in my old car/truck, I'm not out to set any speed records. I have a 56 chevy truck with original drive train. Original rebuilt 283 that's been beefed and dressed up a bit. That truck will put your head through the back window in 4th gear but scooters are passing me at top speed on the highway. I'd say 55 is a comfortable speed for that truck. My 35 Cab seems to be very low geared too. When I'm in these vehicles I'm not in a hurry to get from point A to point B...point B is back home again...with ice cream dribbled all over the front of my shirt! __________________ 35 Ford Cabriolet 56 Chevy Pickup 63 VW Bug Empty wallet

09-06-2015, 05:20 PM	#7
Capt Kirk Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Clarkston MI Posts: 830	Re: V8 60 Top Speed Battery operated gps will give you speed too. Stick it to your windshield and go for a ride. __________________ 35 Ford Cabriolet 56 Chevy Pickup 63 VW Bug Empty wallet

09-06-2015, 07:28 PM	#8
Pete BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,423	Re: V8 60 Top Speed A stock 1940 Ford with a V860 would do 60 mph by the speedometer.

09-06-2015, 09:31 PM	#9
jake197000 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 356	Re: V8 60 Top Speed just put an engine in a 37,cruising speed seems to be about 50.didnt try it old tires but on the flat id bet it will do 65.

09-06-2015, 09:36 PM	#10
Phil Gillespie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 1,648	Re: V8 60 Top Speed See you have just changed carb. You need to check you are running correct sized jets. Too small, too lean a mixture will affect your top end speed. Phil NZ

09-06-2015, 09:38 PM	#11
Phil Gillespie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 1,648	Re: V8 60 Top Speed Correction. your carb has not been changed, but still pay to check correct jets are fitted. Phil NZ

09-06-2015, 11:44 PM	#12
my50ford Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 8	Re: V8 60 Top Speed I think the problem may be the carb. How do I check the jets?

09-07-2015, 01:25 AM	#13
deucemac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tehachapi, Ca. Posts: 209	Re: V8 60 Top Speed Regarding the power of a V860 to reach any high speed in stock form, I refer to a conversation I had many years ago with an old time Ford mechanic. His view on a V860 was, and I quote"The only engine I ever worked on that you could change spark plugs while it was running and see no loss of power!" So 45 with minimum power at your disposal and 4.44 gears doesn't seem out of the question. Remember that Ford even went to a tube axle on them to help reduce weight pulled bu the V860. Modify the snot out of them and use them in midgets and small boats and you have a chance. Having them in a full sized car and the deck is stacked against them.

09-07-2015, 01:38 AM	#14
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,673	Re: V8 60 Top Speed The 39 std with 60 ---a fresh engine built with NOS parts except block would do more than 75, but couldn't make 80 the usuall speed I drove it on the parkway was about 70, fuel mileage suffered above 65---about 20 mpg, keeping it below 60 gave 25 mpg I found that coils that were "ok" for 85hp would break down in a 60, eventually ended up with a remote mounted coil

09-07-2015, 01:58 AM	#15
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,597	Re: V8 60 Top Speed My50ford, Listen to Kurt, that's what your 60 should do. If it won't, something's up. How is your coil? Martin.

09-07-2015, 09:44 AM	#16
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: V8 60 Top Speed My dad drove a v60 (39 coupe) for years in the 40s. I am seeing him today, I will ask. I have heard some funny stories about having to back up steep hills! But as far as I know he also drove it at highway speeds on flat ground. And as for the lower speed limits in the past, not sure where your from, but in Kansas there were no maximum speed limits until sometime in the 50s and I can assure you that almost everyone took advantage of that by driving as fast as their car would allow. I had a stock model A in the 1960s and it had no problem with 60 mph.

09-07-2015, 09:56 AM	#17
skidmarks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: newark, delaware Posts: 3,841	Re: V8 60 Top Speed I had one that started easy. Ran smooth and could putt around but if you tried to get up and go it would fall on its face. It had a bad coil.

09-07-2015, 01:57 PM	#18
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: V8 60 Top Speed Kurt's right on, according to Ford. I've posted a couple of times about the numbers in the "Performance Services" section of the Ford Bulletins. These bulletins gave minimum acceptable performance numbers for top speed, acceleration, and gas mileage to be used as diagnostic tools by dealers. Essentially, if a customer complained about mileage, power, or speed, the dealer made a specified road test that resulted in a number...if the car made spec, the driver had a problem; if the car ran below spec, the dealer had a problem to fix. The bulletins I have from 1938 and 1940 give 76 MPH as the speed standard for a 60 with 4.44 rear. This test was by the car's own speedometer, and old car speedos tend to read a bit high towards the ends of their scales, but that's the number Ford thought your car should be able to reach. Incidentally, top speed test was to be done "if advisable"...I guess not-advisable applied if dealer was next door to the police station, or if customer's car had bald tires. In the not-advisable situations, dealer was instructed to buzz the hell out of the heap in first gear to assess its high RPM behavior, but no numbers are suggested.

09-07-2015, 02:04 PM	#19
my50ford Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 8	Re: V8 60 Top Speed I have a remote modern 6 volt coil. I've had the car for quite a while and before I took it off the road to restore it , I was able to run at 55 & 60 mph all the time.

09-07-2015, 03:38 PM	#20
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,597	Re: V8 60 Top Speed Bruce, Thank you very much for your posting, I've refered to those minimum figures in the bulletins a few times, be it top speed or mpg figures. Every time I pretty much get accused of making it up, or smoking something or "those were marketing figures like the old horse power figures, just because it says that, it don't meen it'll do that" I try to explain that these were not used to bump up sales. They were the minimum, and if the car couldn't get those figures, it should be fixed. So glad you used these bulletin figures. Maybe the nay sayers will believe you? Hope so. I have numbers here that state the V8 60 with 4.55 rear gear should do 55 mph (this is close, can't put my hand on the book at the mo) in second gear before the valves bounce. If it won't, you have bad valve springs. If it won't do 55 but no valve bounce, states the ignition should be tested. I bet there spitting coffee right about now. They underestimate these old Ford's. Martin.