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If out on a day trip and it necessitating use of the superslab/zipstrip or 4-lanes at what rpm do you fellas feel comfortable running your Healeys?
 
I have the standard 3000, Mk II gears with O/D and a 3.91 rear end. 3,000 rpm is ~65 mph and 3,500 rpm is ~80 mph. My cam is a DWR-8, which really is best at these rpms.
 
I've got a 3.54 in mine, engine well balanced and DWR-8 cam. Because of the 3.54, I run more in the 2500-3000 on the freeway but I used to have a 4.10 and would run at 3500-4000 comfortably.

When I raced (with stock rods), I limited myself to 6000 and spent a lot of time in 4-6k range with no ill effects.

I agree with John, 3-3500 is a very happy range for these sixes, but no problem running higher when the mood/situation strikes.
 
Thanks for your replies. I’ve been running my BJ7 for over 20 years and do many day trips of a 100 or so miles. Watkins Glen is about 1-1/2 hour away. I can take the 2 lane all the way up but sometimes if coming home late and just wanting to get home I will run the 4 lane. I’m a bit eccentric with my ideas sometimes and always have strived to keep it under 3000 rpms when highway crusin just for the sake of longevity of the engine. At 2800rpm I’m doing 62mph according to gps. I’d like to cruse a little faster but that will break my rule of not exceeding 3k. I was hoping to stay under 3k at 65mph but that’s not happening. What’s surprising is that I have 3:54 rear gears and OD. I thought it would do better. But I must have a higher numerical OD. I don’t know how to verify that. My engine and running gear is in very good shape but I now have over 100k on the car since I restored it. I’m always concerned to take care of the engine. I’m thinking about putting taller tires on it. I’m running 165s now. Thanks for your input.
 
vette said:
Thanks for your replies. I’ve been running my BJ7 for over 20 years and do many day trips of a 100 or so miles. Watkins Glen is about 1-1/2 hour away. I can take the 2 lane all the way up but sometimes if coming home late and just wanting to get home I will run the 4 lane. I’m a bit eccentric with my ideas sometimes and always have strived to keep it under 3000 rpms when highway crusin just for the sake of longevity of the engine. At 2800rpm I’m doing 62mph according to gps. I’d like to cruse a little faster but that will break my rule of not exceeding 3k. I was hoping to stay under 3k at 65mph but that’s not happening. What’s surprising is that I have 3:54 rear gears and OD. I thought it would do better. But I must have a higher numerical OD. I don’t know how to verify that. My engine and running gear is in very good shape but I now have over 100k on the car since I restored it. I’m always concerned to take care of the engine. I’m thinking about putting taller tires on it. I’m running 165s now. Thanks for your input.
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I never pass up the chance to drive 287. 😉
 
Hmmmm, Jack. Are you referring to what I think you are? Rt-14 has some good stretches too. Where are you getting on 287?
 
From 220 / 99 until it hits 15 / 99, And the other way on the way home. But the last couple trips have run 144 from Galeton. Great drives on both.
 
red57 said:
I've got a 3.54 in mine, engine well balanced and DWR-8 cam. Because of the 3.54, I run more in the 2500-3000 on the freeway but I used to have a 4.10 and would run at 3500-4000 comfortably.

When I raced (with stock rods), I limited myself to 6000 and spent a lot of time in 4-6k range with no ill effects.

I agree with John, 3-3500 is a very happy range for these sixes, but no problem running higher when the mood/situation strikes.
Click to expand...
Dave -
I remember those days and was always amazed that after a full weekend of hard racing, you were still able to pack-up and drive your racer all the way home on the public roads.

Dave v Richard Healeys.jpg
 
vette said:
If out on a day trip and it necessitating use of the superslab/zipstrip or 4-lanes at what rpm do you fellas feel comfortable running your Healeys?
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With a 3.5 diff, W 58 transmission and 180 XAS's sustained 3K +/- rpm's gives a very comfortable 70-75 mph. At anything beyond 3500 rpm's sustained I feel a bit like I am pushing against a wall.

When accellerating thru the gears I generally shift up at around 4500.
 
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