Speed?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 418
From: Monmouth County, NJ
Speed?
So as you might figure from the question Im very new to owning this truck and this is my first vintage vehicle. I've read quite a bit on these truck both on this forum and from other sources. From what I understand it is not possible for these trucks in general having a stock set up, that they will not travel above 50 mph tops 55 maybe. This seems to be true for my truck. I haven't had a really good chance to bring it out on open small highway yet. I've mainly stuck to riding her along two lane roads, 35-40 mph. I have read some threads on here with similar stock trucks going above 65 and even up to 70mph! Is this possible and under what circumstance in an entirely stock F-1 would this be?
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,013
Likes: 9,957
From: Rio Rancho, NM
The gearing is your main limiting factor. Couple that with engines that weren't designed for high RPM and roads that weren't built for high speeds and you can easily see why these old trucks weren't often pushed to high speeds.
And then you have the old bias ply tires, etc, etc, etc.
When I first got my 49 up and running with the original flat 6 and 4spd trans if you started getting up around 50 MPH it sure felt like you were doing about Mach 8....lol
Now, with the big 500ci Caddy, 2.75:1 differential gears, and radial tires I have no problem running down the highway at 75-80. I've managed to push the poor old thing up close to 100 MPH a time or two....ooops.
Bobby
And then you have the old bias ply tires, etc, etc, etc.
When I first got my 49 up and running with the original flat 6 and 4spd trans if you started getting up around 50 MPH it sure felt like you were doing about Mach 8....lol
Now, with the big 500ci Caddy, 2.75:1 differential gears, and radial tires I have no problem running down the highway at 75-80. I've managed to push the poor old thing up close to 100 MPH a time or two....ooops.
Bobby
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 418
From: Monmouth County, NJ
The gearing is your main limiting factor. Couple that with engines that weren't designed for high RPM and roads that weren't built for high speeds and you can easily see why these old trucks weren't often pushed to high speeds.
And then you have the old bias ply tires, etc, etc, etc.
When I first got my 49 up and running with the original flat 6 and 4spd trans if you started getting up around 50 MPH it sure felt like you were doing about Mach 8....lol
Now, with the big 500ci Caddy, 2.75:1 differential gears, and radial tires I have no problem running down the highway at 75-80. I've managed to push the poor old thing up close to 100 MPH a time or two....ooops.
Bobby
And then you have the old bias ply tires, etc, etc, etc.
When I first got my 49 up and running with the original flat 6 and 4spd trans if you started getting up around 50 MPH it sure felt like you were doing about Mach 8....lol
Now, with the big 500ci Caddy, 2.75:1 differential gears, and radial tires I have no problem running down the highway at 75-80. I've managed to push the poor old thing up close to 100 MPH a time or two....ooops.
Bobby
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Some people are afraid to spin their flatheads, but that wasn't much of a concern for people back in the 50's. At 60 mph with stock tires and the 3.92 gears in your '52, you would be turning a little less than 3,000 RPM. It can run for hours on end like that without any harm, assuming it's in reasonable shape. 3,000 sounds like a lot to modern motorists used to seeing 2,000 or less at freeway speeds, but flatheads don't have all the rocker arms and pushrods of an OHV engine, in many respects they are more like an OHC engine.
You would want your brakes and steering to be in good shape at those speeds, tho.
You would want your brakes and steering to be in good shape at those speeds, tho.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,912
Likes: 1,196
From: Deerbrook, WI
My truck has stock brakes, steering, and suspension with the I6 overhead valve engine, new for 1952. It is rated at 101 hp. I have the optional non-synchro 4 speed manual transmission with the stock 3.92 real axle--tires are bias ply. My truck easily goes 60 mph and can be pushed into the 70's. A stock F1, in good repair, can certainly be used for travel on highways. I'm driving mine to Pennsylvania in a couple of weeks. The trip will be close to a thousand miles one way.
Jim
PS The one non-stock feature about my truck is a duel master cylinder. Opinions differ on wether it is needed or not, but I recently made the switch because I was a little concerned about the mountains that would be encountered in Pennsylvania.
Jim
PS The one non-stock feature about my truck is a duel master cylinder. Opinions differ on wether it is needed or not, but I recently made the switch because I was a little concerned about the mountains that would be encountered in Pennsylvania.
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