The Ford Barn

Bob Bidonde · 06-09-2025, 06:52 AM

This chart may help you.

nkaminar · 06-09-2025, 07:00 AM

Bob, With my overdrive my overall ratio is very close to 3:1 when in overdrive.

Big hammer · 06-09-2025, 07:51 AM

Maximum RPM’s is limited by the induction system ! How fast you can suck down a milkshake is limited by the straw size ! The charts that I’ve seen like Bob’s is about 3000 rpm’s is the maximum you can spin the stock A engine and then MPH is dependent on gearing tire size etc. The maximum MPH I’ve seen ( gps ) 72 mph, going down a hill ( mole hill to most ) flat out, WOT . Why you ask ? some older little old lady going to church driving at 45 mph, so I decided to pass her hence the 72 mph maximum speed ! I got just in front of her front bumper and then had to cut in front of her , she did slow back down to her pokey speed . I never dreamed a little old lady would do something like that ! It was getting to the white knuckle point for we were meeting a car coming down a hill the other side! Cantankerous old lady! maybe she was wanting to see god than just going to church

nkaminar · 06-09-2025, 08:20 AM

In the 60's I would drive my stock Model A at 50 to 55 with the modern traffic at the time going 60 to 65. Today a stock Model A is best kept to the side roads unless on an LA freeway where the traffic flows at 15 mph.

With my Model A today, with Burtz block, HC head, cam, overdrive, and downdraft Weber carburetor I will drive 65 on the highway with the modern traffic going 70 to 80. I love the back roads where I can cruise along at 55 or less and run through the little North Carolina towns. One of the nice things about North Carolina, that I love, is the little towns and the winding back roads.

06-09-2025, 07:00 AM	#22
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,855	Re: What top speed translates to maximum revs? Bob, With my overdrive my overall ratio is very close to 3:1 when in overdrive. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

06-09-2025, 07:51 AM	#23
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,638	Re: What top speed translates to maximum revs? Maximum RPM’s is limited by the induction system ! How fast you can suck down a milkshake is limited by the straw size ! The charts that I’ve seen like Bob’s is about 3000 rpm’s is the maximum you can spin the stock A engine and then MPH is dependent on gearing tire size etc. The maximum MPH I’ve seen ( gps ) 72 mph, going down a hill ( mole hill to most ) flat out, WOT . Why you ask ? some older little old lady going to church driving at 45 mph, so I decided to pass her hence the 72 mph maximum speed ! I got just in front of her front bumper and then had to cut in front of her , she did slow back down to her pokey speed . I never dreamed a little old lady would do something like that ! It was getting to the white knuckle point for we were meeting a car coming down a hill the other side! Cantankerous old lady! maybe she was wanting to see god than just going to church __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

06-09-2025, 08:20 AM	#24
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,855	Re: What top speed translates to maximum revs? In the 60's I would drive my stock Model A at 50 to 55 with the modern traffic at the time going 60 to 65. Today a stock Model A is best kept to the side roads unless on an LA freeway where the traffic flows at 15 mph. With my Model A today, with Burtz block, HC head, cam, overdrive, and downdraft Weber carburetor I will drive 65 on the highway with the modern traffic going 70 to 80. I love the back roads where I can cruise along at 55 or less and run through the little North Carolina towns. One of the nice things about North Carolina, that I love, is the little towns and the winding back roads. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.