Re: [AMC-list] so that's why I did this!!!

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

I don't recall what rpm I ran my "built" 196 up to, but I DO recall what it would do stock. With the original 1909 1V carb on it it would only go up to about 3800 rpm in high gear flat out. I recall that distinctly! 126 hp @ 4200 rpm, but it won't touch 4500 rpm in gear!! Might in first or second, but wouldn't in third on a level. Would run just a couple hundred more on a slight downgrade, drop a couple hundred on a slight upgrade. Raced a friend in his old Vega out in Idaho on a back road that was straight and level. I could get right behind him and could have pushed him in the draft, but if I pulled out to go around I couldn't! That was with stock exhaust and ignition. I later put the 2V on but didn't see what it would do like that. 

You'd think I would remember what rpm the later engine ran, but I don't. I'm sure it would turn 4000+, it was similar to what Tom has except for the Pertronix (standard points, hotter coil). I guess I remember that first time running it hard because I was a bit surprised it wouldn't run anywhere near the peak hp rating... 

-----------
Date: Sun, 16 May 2010 19:25:47 -0700
From: tom jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>

These were just upshift speeds, not sustained; peak then throttle up and
shift. Funny, the thing that limits high upshift speeds in a practical sense
is the T-96, the synchros basically suck. They are more like "suggestions"
that the gears mesh, please.

The "old" engine (same one before work-over) ran to 3000 OK, but it wasn't
that happy doing so. Same ignition for now (Pertronix and epoxy coil) but
good carb and much improved exhaust, but I think the new valve springs are
the reason it didn't break up and grumble.

I don't know what would limit practical maximum RPM for this motor. The TSM
specs it as 138hp@4500, so we've been calling that "maximum". Valve float?
The springs are pretty weak! Would valve float let a pushrod drop out?
They're like foot long soda straws. Weird torsional vibration? Would
anything like that happen to any modern-ish six below 6000+?

I plan on not finding any of these things out, just thinking out loud. My
budget isn't big enough to ask such questions. I am curious though.

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://www.amc-mag.com
(free download available!)

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