What revs at 60MPH

[NZ28ModelA]

Hi Guys,

I have read the quote from Henry Ford on the introduction of the Model A where he states " The new Ford will ride comfortably at fifty and sixty miles an hour."

Now even with my rebuilt and balanced new engine, I really don't feel comfortable having it sit on 60 for any length of time.. If I can get it up there at all..

I was just wondering what revs is a standard car doing at 60mph?? Is it close to the red line??
Are you comfortable driving your standard car at 60?? Like I said, mine is rebuilt and balanced, and i don't feel I am even close to sitting comfortably at 60..

Thanks

Steve

[Ruth]

On paper it calc out to ~2600 RPM at 60 MPH with the stock 3.78 rear gear and 4.75/5.00 x 19 tires.

I don't feel comfortable driving that fast in a Model A anyway. 45-50 is where I (and my Town Sedan) like to be.

[RUNNERBUN]

Forget your speedo, forget your rev counter. Just drive at your comfortable speed. Listen to your car, it will tell you what your comfortable speed is. Enjoy your ride.

[WHN]

Originally Posted by RUNNERBUN

Forget your speedo, forget your rev counter. Just drive at your comfortable speed. Listen to your car, it will tell you what your comfortable speed is. Enjoy your ride.

This is really good advice!

[Jim M]

X2! I feel very comfortable at 40-45. Unfortunately that is the speed most people turn into Walmart!! I don't like the 4 lane roads and try to stick to the two lane back roads. I enjoy it much more and you get a lot of waves from friends in yards as they watch you puttt by.

[Bruce of MN]

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Originally Posted by Jim M

X2! I feel very comfortable at 40-45. Unfortunately that is the speed most people turn into Walmart!! I don't like the 4 lane roads and try to stick to the two lane back roads. I enjoy it much more and you get a lot of waves from friends in yards as they watch you puttt by.

We visit a friend in Sebastian and the folks there are friendly!

[kooljunkguy]

Originally Posted by Jim M

X2! I feel very comfortable at 40-45. Unfortunately that is the speed most people turn into Walmart!!

So true!!
We're in a much faster paced world now than when our cars were new..... everyone's in such a hurry....

[Conaway2]

With stock brakes, I wouldn’t want to drive any faster than 45 mph....

[aermotor]

Originally Posted by Conaway2

With stock brakes, I wouldn’t want to drive any faster than 45 mph....

It is my opinion (for what ever it's worth) that a model A with brakes in proper working condition is limited in stopping power by the small tire foot print rather than the brakes at any speed, assuming the tires have good tread.

John

[DGNY]

There are four main variables. Here is a calculator, if your speedometer is accurate, you can measure/figure your as-running tire diameter and know differential ratio:

http://advanced-ev.com/Calculators/TireSize/

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by aermotor

It is my opinion (for what ever it's worth) that a model A with brakes in proper working condition is limited in stopping power by the small tire foot print rather than the brakes at any speed, assuming the tires have good tread.

John

I would agree with John. However, "proper working condition" would have to be defined as being able to slide all 4 tires evenly. To do that, you would have to adjust the brakes differently than Ford instructed.

Stock adjustment instructions have the rear brakes coming on first and the rear wheels sliding first. In fact, the front wheels are not supposed to slide if the brakes are adjusted to the instructions.

Since the weight shifts to the front of the car upon braking, the fronts need to come on first in order to have all 4 wheels fully involved in the braking process right up to 4 wheel lock up. All automakers changed to this process soon after the Model A era. On newer cars, the front brakes are always bigger than the rear brakes and braking force is hydraulically proportioned more to the front to accomplish this.

With the Model A brakes adjusted so that all 4 wheels will slide at the same time during brake pedal travel, then the tire footprint will be the limiting factor in stopping distance. The shortest stopping distance will be with pedal force just prior to lock up.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by NZ28ModelA

Hi Guys,

I have read the quote from Henry Ford on the introduction of the Model A where he states " The new Ford will ride comfortably at fifty and sixty miles an hour."

Thanks

Steve

Remember, Henry was all about selling as many cars as he could.

[Bob Bidonde]

Model A's must meet 4 criteria, or I consider them deficient and unsafe:
1. Be able to panic stop by locking-up all 4 wheels;
2. Cruise at 55 mph with some throttle remaining;
3. Have working turn signals;
4. Must have modern lighting, i.e., LED tail lights and halogen or LED headlights.
Your Model A needs to be able to lockup all 4 wheels in an emergency stop. If it cannot, or you are afraid to jam-on its brakes, these pose serious driving hazards.
Driving below 50 mph in traffic is hazardous.
If you consider those skinny Model A tires unsafe, then put V8 wheels and tires on your Model A.
Hand signals and incandescent tail lights are dangerous in traffic.

[Jim Brierley]

Almost everyone that drives over 45 or 50 has an overdrive.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

Almost everyone that drives over 45 or 50 has an overdrive.

My guess they also have - had the motor built for touring, radials, seat belts, turn signals, top notch brakes (Randy Gross, or know how to do the brake work themselves), etc. All mechanicals in top notch condition. Need most of these for safe driving at those speeds.

[Kurt in NJ]

Anytime I try to drive 45 i end up over 50----the second day after I rebuilt it I knew it would go 67, I have original stock head, no overdrive, have driven over 65 all day ---been trying to break it for the last 30 years ---now that the 50 year old tires are almost bald I am putting on radials ----and perhaps a columbia ---I think 67 is something like 3200 rpm, soon I plan to go through it and will expect 70---and I think there is a 75 on the dial I hope to see

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

Anytime I try to drive 45 i end up over 50----the second day after I rebuilt it I knew it would go 67, I have original stock head, no overdrive, have driven over 65 all day ---been trying to break it for the last 30 years ---now that the 50 year old tires are almost bald I am putting on radials ----and perhaps a columbia ---I think 67 is something like 3200 rpm, soon I plan to go through it and will expect 70---and I think there is a 75 on the dial I hope to see

50 year old bald tires at 67 MPH?

Please let me know when you are driving the car. I don't want me or my family near you.

[Kurt in NJ]

Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

50 year old bald tires at 67 MPH?

Please let me know when you are driving the car. I don't want me or my family near you.

I work on modern cars, next time you are stopped in traffic and there are cars on each side, in front, and back one of those cars has a much more serious problem than old near bald tires ---- tires,suspension,brakes that the owner knows about and declined the repair ---tires showing 2 layers of cord, inch or more play in ball joint ---siezed brake calipers, rusted brake pipes with one line crimped off ----I see this work declined every day, but the radio, sunroof get fixed!

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

Anytime I try to drive 45 i end up over 50----the second day after I rebuilt it I knew it would go 67, I have original stock head, no overdrive, have driven over 65 all day ---been trying to break it for the last 30 years ---now that the 50 year old tires are almost bald I am putting on radials ----and perhaps a columbia ---I think 67 is something like 3200 rpm, soon I plan to go through it and will expect 70---and I think there is a 75 on the dial I hope to see

I thought 2200 - 2400 was max safe RPM on an A stock motor.


Yes, No?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

I thought 2200 - 2400 was max safe RPM on an A stock motor.


Yes, No?

I would say yes, and for more speed, I'd install 3.27 gears or overdrive.
40 to 45 is an enjoyable speed, but you need to find some good Wisconsin roads for that. Too many fool drivers in Minnesota.