The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 235 Rebuilt. Top Speed?

I have a rebuilt 235 going back into the '58 Apache 3100 it came out of with the same rebuilt three-speed transmission and rebuilt rear end. This is a frame-off restoration with the only changes from original being an electric motor for the windshield wipers and a disc break conversion for the front end.

I would like to know what kind of top driving speed I could expect once I am past the break-in period. It will not be a daily driver and will also not be a 'Trailer Queen'.

Thanks.

After doing some searching here, I believe my top cruising speed will around 50 mph, and possibly a short stint at 50 mph.

Nah - you can go faster than that. assume you have the stock 3.90 rear and normal size tires. you can go 60-65 fine. the engine will be turning about 3000 RPMs which is OK

3.90 rear end
1:1 top gear ratio
What tire rolling diameter?
With that number, we can calculate RPMs.

Probably most efficient/mpg at 2500-2800?
Cruising at 3000-3200 would not hurt your engine, but gas milage will start suggering/lower/\.

I'd say that engine RPM isn't what will limit top speed as the road feel at higher speeds. I've got a T5 & 3.73 gears now but when it was a 3.90 / no OD rig I drove across the USA & back at 65 MPH in my "60 but it ride is day & night from the Task Force models.

Tire size will be same as it was when it rolled off the line. Like I said, it is not intended to be a daily driver, but do plan to take it to a show in the fall that is an hour and a half north of Raleigh, NC. Won't get on any interstates though.

standard/ordinary tires for the task force 1/2 ton (~29" diameter) turn about 700 revs/mile so with a 3.90 gear and 1:1 final drive transmission (no OD) then you are looking at about 2700 RPMs at 60 mph

Well raleigh.....I got a bone stock '50 3600 with a 4.10 gear. I rebuilt the engine and entire drive line back
about 2005 or 06. I run that 216 55 mph almost every day and I've been driving it when ever the weather
permits. Short sprints out on the toll way I'll run it up to 65-70 mph.
That's a splash oiler and if that 235 won't do that.......well.......somethin's wrong.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I drove a 1958 Chevy Delray coupe for several years- - - - -It had a 235 a, 3 speed, a 3.70:1 rear end and relatively low profile 14 inch tires. I had no trouble at all cruising at 65-70 MPH, and short runs to 85 or so were not impossible. You should be able to cruise comfortably at 55-60 from New York to California.
Jerry

In high school the lumber yard I worked for had a 52 1/2 ton. I had it up to 80 once. Scary drive with steering that needed tightened.
My 52 3/4 ton with 4.10 gears and a 235, ported head and a 3/4 race cam, one bbl Rochester has been timed at 100.It will easily cruise at 75.

I( have a 58 3100 with the same set up except mine has drum brakes. I run 60 to 70 mph on the interstate all the time. The faster you go the more squirrely if feels going down the road. Also the gas mileage drops . Expect anywhere between 10 to 13 miles per gallon running at those speeds.

Whether its 216 or a 235 or a 261, they are all designed to handle as much RPH under load as you can give them. Just think about what they would have to do to a big grain truck fully loaded to get from a far away field back to the farm. Lots of gear shifts requiring extreme RPM before every shift to avoid excessive lugging in the next higher gear.
We baby these engines too much. If you don't wind them up like they were designed to do, you end up with carbon deposits in the combustion chambers. All that noise they make should be considered music to the ears, all be it loud music.
If you blow it up, why, its best years were already behind it, or it wasn't rebuilt correctly to begin with.
Carl

I have a 59 Apache 1/2 ton with a .060 over 261, 3.90 rear gear and 255/75/15 rear tires. It would run all day long 65/70 mph., If I remember it would be turning 3200/3300 rpm at those speeds. I now have a Borg Warner world class t5 with a 2.95 1st gear, .72 od gear. and I think was turning 2400 rpm at 70 mph. I haven't driven in a while .