Re: [Amc-list] Suggested maximum long-term cruise RPM for 195.6OHV?

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

The only real problem with running a 195.6 like that is it will use oil at about a quart per 800 miles, 1000 miles at best. It's just not designed for sustained highway speeds -- there were few places in the 50s that could be done, and that engine design goes back to 1941 (the then "new" 172.6 L-head, which itself was based on 30s technology). I did it, but it only uses that much oil at highway speeds. Running around town with only short spurts (say 10-15 minutes) at high speeds and it will use about a quart every 2-3K miles. At least that was my experience, even with a rebuilt engine! I have used as much as a quart in 600-700 miles (long trip, 15-16 hours, on the interstate all in one day, from Warner Robins GA to Elgin IL, just west of Chicago, cruising at 70-75 whenever conditions and cops allowed!). It's an 850-950 mile trip depending on route, and I put a quart in a couple hours south of Chicago. Used almost four quarts there, running around, and back -- and that was wit
 h an engine rebuilt about 10 months before the trip. A worn/old engine will do worse, of course. Another reason I decided to stop daily driving the 195.6, though as I said oil consumption is reasonable/as expected -- about a quart low at oil change time (3K), maybe a bit before, and no more than 1 quart between changes. Add a quart at 1.5-2.5K miles, change when you need to add another at 3-5K -- thatwas my regimen for a long time! I got to where I never checked mileage, just useage! Miles depended really on how I drove the car -- I don't think I ever went a full 5K miles between changes, maybe just a bit over 4K tops. the harder you drive the more it uses, and the quicker it gets dirty.  

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Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2007 11:31:28 -0700
From: Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>

Oh I agree. I'm not afraid of the engine flying apart but where it's 
"happy", meaning unstressed, modern highway compatible (65mph all day 
long) and good/best mileage.


-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
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