Re: Gears & Speeds
I assume that my TD has the 5.125 axle and I have a set of new-old-stock
Reliant 165R-15 radial tires mounted. As far as I'm concerned, the car cruises
the best at just under 4,000 rpm. There's a "groove" at that point where it
feels just right. At that rpm range, the speedometer is usually indicating just
a tad below 50 mph. The needle jiggles a bit, so it's hard to determine an
exact speed. But according to some of those digital roadside "speed readers"
that the gendarmes set up in Wisconsin, I have to believe my speedo is fairly
accurate.
To push the car up to a more or less steady 60 mph requires going to the
4300-4500 rpm range or even a bit higher. At times I have had the needle
bumping 70 mph with two "extra large" males in the car, but only for brief
spurts. During those moments of insanity the rpms are well over 5000-5500.
Since my TD engine is old and a bit smokey and has considerable tappet noise,
I've been told that it's best to keep it under 4500 rpm max to avoid problems.
My TF, which is even smokier than the TD, is however a lot quieter and
smoother. It feels "faster," although you can tell when you're pulling even a
small hill with the TF. I can't comment on speeds at rpm ranges, as the TF tach
has no drive cable and the speedo swings from 40-80 mph and back all the time
the car is moving. The TF has older Sears 5.60-15 bias ply white sidewall tires
that look quite nicely preserved. Right now it's in a shop getting a few things
sorted out, but I am looking forward to eventually comparing the two cars under
various driving conditions.
The seat-of-the-pants comparisons I've made so far indicate quite a
difference in the general driving feel of the two cars. My original thought was
that the TF, with the higher axle ratio and turn signals would be better for
long trips, but the seating position makes me wonder. Though the TF has more
room, my knees are constantly hitting the original steering wheel, more so than
in the TD.
By the way, I drive the TD almost every day and have put nearly 4,000 miles
on it since April. There are lots of deer around here, but my biggest road
hazard are young guys in Dodge Ram pickups who never heard of the double
nickel.
John Gunnell
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