" From: Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx> " " " The sweet spot for gas mileage depends on the engine and what the terrain " is like around you. Smaller engines need more RPM but an AMC six or V8 " (which make a lot of torque at low RPM) should be quite happy around 2,000 " RPM at 65 MPH. If it's flat, you can get by with fewer RPM but you'd need " more in a hilly area. it also depends on the cam. you have to start to get 'on the cam' to get good fuel efficiency, and the more radical the timing the more rpm you'll need to find it. i'm not talking about wringing it out, i'm talking about approaching the torque peak. [nb. engine performance is also affected by advancing or retarding the cam] '60s and '70s amc sixes officially developed maximum torque at 1600-1800 rpm. you could get an american with 199, 3sp+od and 3.08 rear - and the od was set to engage at under 40mph. cam duration was only 244* 'on the ramps' [@ .005"]; i've never seen the equivalent .050" measurement. a jeep 4.0 would certainly pull these gears in such a light car, but with 280* ['87-'95] it should get best mileage at slightly higher rpms. one of the reasons smaller engines are happier at higher rpms is that they're often cammed more radically to make up for their displacement lack. ________________________________________________________________________ Andrew Hay the genius nature internet rambler is to see what all have seen adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and think what none thought _______________________________________________ AMC-List mailing list AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list or go to http://www.amc-list.com