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| | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 243 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 243 | what kinds of hiway speeds would i be looking at with my 51 1/2 ton 216 3 on the tree and factory 16in wheels? stock gear in closed drive shaft live in a small town she wont see much hiway but curious thanks | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 428 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 428 | Mine will run 55-60 no problem with 7.00-16" rear tires. I'll get her up to 65 for short bursts, but the ol' 216's screaming pretty good by then.
Bob | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | This site will let you figure it out. http://www.drivetraindirect.com/t_gear_calculator.htm Just enter your tire outside diameter (measure with a tape measure), and your rear axle ratio. Then decide what is a safe max continuous engine rpm for driving, I would recommend keeping it at about 2,500 or less for your engine. 3,000 is defiantly too fast if you want your engine to last a while. Grigg | | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,867 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,867 | My 53 has the same setup and I try to keep her under between 50-55. Over that and I dont think she'll last to much longer... | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 243 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 243 | in my town i can put around at 50mph not a problem at all... ill keep her stock rebuild the 216 with updated bearings and leave the rearend gear alone... thanks guys | | | | | Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 92 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 92 | We run our 46 1/2 ton at 45 max on the highway. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 688 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 688 | The 216 in my 52 Chevy Deluxe died along time ago and (it is a car) so I guess it wouldn't count.  ... so just get a 235, put it in a car, and you will go faster.  Cliff59 | | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 483 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 483 | Indicated 50 mph,actual 60,750x16 recaps on rear. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 184 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 184 | I run mine no more than 45 max. The engine starts pushing a lot of rpm above that speed and I've thrown / bent rods and also have had a lot of serious bounces with the original suspension. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 | A lot of it depends on the rear gears and tires. Don't be afraid to let the old gal spin. I would recommend keeping her under 2500 rpm for extended travel With stock gears and tires the truck will run over 90, just don't hold it there for too long.
Extended running at high rpm can cause rod stretch, usually due to the babbit in the rod ends. More damage is caused by excessive lugging at low rpm, when the engine knocks.
If you're rebuilding, definitely go with the insert bearing rods. I would also do a rear gear swap, your engine will last longer running at lower rpm.
Fred
52 3600
69 C-10
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