just put a tach in my old truck, and was wonder what the safe rpm limit for a 302 is?? it's a long block rebuild from a LTD with 60,000 km's on it, runs as strong as when it was new, dual 2" exaust and highflow glass packs. 2v ford carb. right now, if you hold her down, she'll shift between 4500-4900 for 1 to 2 shift in an aod tranny.. is this normal, or am i pushin it too hard??

normal driving it shifts 4000 or less

 

The RPM limit in a GT Mustang is 6200 so I would assume 4900 wouldn't hurt.

 

Thats normal, 6200 is high, thats a mustang it's different. The trucks are around 5500 redlines i think, I don't let mine go over 5.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

That's it for mods now, saving for a Stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.

 

ok, thanks guys, that makes me feel better, this motor is from a car, and i never moved the kickdown linkage, so it still shifts like it did in the car. just kinda wonderin what the range was..

 

The Mustang's limiter is at 6k, but it is losing power since around 5400 anyway. Like was said, it's different in a truck. The truck needs power down-low to build torque to move it's twice as heavy carcas whereas a 3500 pound Mustang can live with peak horsepower at a highr RPM.

On a side note, my friend's 550HP 331 stroker redlines at 7500 RPM.:-staun

 

I once took a Boss 302 short block with 289 heads up to 7000.

 

What year truck did you install the tachometer? I've been wanting to install a tach in my 87 where that blank space is, next to the speedometer, and make it look "factory". Any ideas?

Thanks

 

Why don't you just buy the regular guage cluster w/ a tach and plug it in haha, the wiring is there.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

Engine spec says max HP is 185 at 3,800 and 270 ft lbs at 2400.
Why over rev it.

 

Well, when racing you rev past your peak numbers so that when you shift it puts you right back almost in your peak torque numbers. That way you're not bogging when you shift, and you just hold on.

 

Reving to 6000 would be a bit high. for a 3800 peak HP.
A different cam would change the peak HP rpm.
Shifting at 4000 to 4500 should be good for a 3800 peak HP.
Of course, this depends on the difference between the gears also.
To really figure it out you would need to know what the driving needs are HP and Torque curves and the RPM drops between the gears.

But getting back to the question, the shift points sound good.