Looking for information as to the best cruising RPM for a Hudson 232 cu in engine - that is the RPM that the engine is 'happiest' at, and which hopefully gives the best MPG.
Thanks (in advance) folks!
More on the reason for my inquiry.
My modern vehicles/engines have an optimal RPM of around 1800-2500 RPM, around 50-65 MPH - depending on the vehicle. Best MPG is at around 50-55 MPH, and it really goes downhill after 70 MPH. As for classics, about all I have driven lately is a '46 Hudson PU with a 212 splasher and 4 5/9 rears, and was pushing it hard to do 50 MPH (downhill).
My old truck I am focusing on at present (not my '46 Blue Goose) will probably be about 3500 lbs (with me in it) - and I don't plan on using it to haul anything. I am planning on using the 232 engine with a 3-speed trans (non OD), so final drive (before the differential) will be 1/1. Even with 3.08 gears in the rear, it will not be doing 60 MPH @ 2200 RPM (actually my calculations give me a speed of around 58 MPH, depending on tire size). I'm thinking that the lowest I want to go with the rear ratio will be about 3.27, which would bring the speed down to about 55 MPH. The 3.55 gears brings it down to about 51 MPH at 2200 RPM - IMO a bit slow, but still around 70 MPH @ 3000 RPM.
The major issue is that I can't really go to any real extremes in rear end gear ratio without the horse power to support it - and I don't think the 112 HP will cut it for the 3.08, and probably not the 3.27. Ditching the Hudson engine/trans are not an 'option', so my only option for adjustments at this point are the rear gears...
Why not use an overdrive and 3.90 or 4.11 rear end?
[quote="Steve Engel" post=2366]Why not use an overdrive and 3.90 or 4.11 rear end?
Planning on using the T-86, with a floor shift. OD complicates this 'mix' too much. Rear end needs to be changed-out anyway, so that's the direction I am going.
I remember speaking to the late Dix Helland, who worked at the Hudson garage, handling mainly guarantee work. He stated that it didn't matter how hard you drove the 232 motors, they were understressed and unburstable. They very seldom came back for any sort of work, unlike the Hornets, which were the most troublesome. With a 3.5 rear end you should be able to cruise at 70-75 m.p.h. all day with a 232 in good condition. I had a '50 Pacemaker with 4.1 and o/d, and it handled it well (60 m.p.h. @ 1,800 r.p.m. in o/d)
Geoff
...and it still does Geoff 🙂
Leave a reply
