The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 174 mile how'd the 235 do?

Hi Guys,
Yesterday I drove my '62 on the freeway from Modesto, to Fairfield, and was wondering what you guys thought of how the 235 engine performed.
I ran the engine up to 80mph on 205 + I5, but 55-65mph on hwy99 + hwy12.

The 55-65mph was from 2500-2800rpms, and 75-80mph was 3300-3500rpms.
The needle climbed up to 195 running along at 75-80mph going up I5 over the Sacrmento river, but was running at 165-170 degrees running along at 55-65mph.

When running at 70-80mph for a bit, (running the hottest temp), she would take forever to run up the RPM's. I think it's time to replace the ol'235 + the 3 speed manual with something else in her. :confused:

It took a half a tank of gas for the 87 mile trip up to Fairfield, and it took a quarter of a tank on the way back (I took hwy12 all the way to hwy99 then to home). The oil level was full, same with the coolant before leaving Fairfield. You guys think the ol'235 did ok on the 174 mile trip? :confused:
TIA,
David

3500 is wound a little tight, IMHO! Unless you've done a pretty good bottom-end overhaul, it won't last long at that speed. As speed doubles, the load on parts, such as rods and bearings, wrist pins, etc., SQUARES! Simple math will tell you you're getting close to some design limits at high speed. With good-condition bearings and weight-matched rods, I guess getting it wound up for a short time won't hurt, but I'd avoid extended periods of high speed, like interstate driving. I trashed a 58 model 235 with a leadfoot approach to driving about 40 years ago, burned out a rod bearing. I replaced the 235 with a 61 Corvette 283, and really abused the old car after that!
Jerry