How fast should i go??

WASSSUP! I was wondering what is a normal cruz'n speed for the 170 cu engine? I have the 4 speed tranny. I may be pushing it since I'm starting to blow oil out the filler. I've been pushing 65mph on the normal cruz to the beach.
Thanks!

65 is about all I can get out of her especially if it's hilly

I have a 1969 Gmc Handi Van with a V8 in it & 65 -70 mph on the interstate seems to be pushing it. I would say that if you are having problems at 65 I would drive it at 55 for a while & see if it still does it.

My 200 feels about right at 60mph, with 3.50 gears.
It will go faster, i've had it up to 75mph when i was overtaking a convoy of slow-coach VW campers....! but that felt quite scary.... hehe

I have had cars , trucks & motorcycles that I've had well over 120 mph & got a rush out of but my old van at 75 to 80 scares me a little to. My speedo is a little off so I couldn't say it could of been a little faster than that but either way it was kinda a little scary... I don't know if it's the van or if I'm just getting older & slower...

My 144 used to turn the exhaust manifold cherry red on the interstate, matted. I could only get about 45 or 50 uphill and 65-70 down. Find a comfort zone and stay there. As long as your engine is in good condition it should hold up ok.
These vans can get pretty scary in the wind, especially in a heavy crosswind. If you encounter bad conditions you might want to delay your trip or find a different route.

66ThunderVan wrote:My 144 used to turn the exhaust manifold cherry red on the interstate, matted. I could only get about 45 or 50 uphill and 65-70 down. Find a comfort zone and stay there. As long as your engine is in good condition it should hold up ok.
These vans can get pretty scary in the wind, especially in a heavy crosswind. If you encounter bad conditions you might want to delay your trip or find a different route.

Cooking the exhaust under heavy load is a sign of timing too retarded

The old stuff tends to be more vocal about where they are 'happy'. Listen to it, and it will tell you. Sounds like it's telling you now that you are demanding too much.
I've had my /6 up to around 65-70, but it's not as happy there as it is at 55-60. The project will have more power and be lowered, so it will probably be happy at 65-70, depending on the gearing, but you are still driving a brick thru the air.
Suspension, steering, brakes, drivetrain and profile (is it way up high on skinny tires?) all affect it's composure at speed.
Then there is the spectre of those idiots in the other lane on cruise control, yacking on their cells and not paying attention to the stripes on the road while you have a single sheet of 20 gauge between you and their air bagged, crush zoned cocoon. Drive safe out there!

RodStRace wrote:
Then there is the spectre of those idiots in the other lane on cruise control, yacking on their cells and not paying attention to the stripes on the road while you have a single sheet of 20 gauge between you and their air bagged, crush zoned cocoon. Drive safe out there!

every time i get behind the wheel its like i have a death wish, but i just love driving it i cant help myself no matter how unsafe!

I used to run 70-80mph on the interstate around Chicago in my '65 170/3spd. I had 26" rear tires, so the speedo is a little off, but I was keeping up with traffic and passing cars. It was a little scary when a crosswind came up, but the van handled it fine. Since I dropped in a v8, I hit about 90 on the 1/4 mile on my 1st run. We'll see how it does this spring.

Tires taller in size than the factory size will make your speedo read a faster speed than what you are actualy going...

I think its the other way around. Bigger wheels will make the speedo under read, so you can actually be going faster than you think.....

With my 69 have no problems going 75-80 on the expressway

score602 wrote:

66ThunderVan wrote:My 144 used to turn the exhaust manifold cherry red on the interstate, matted. I could only get about 45 or 50 uphill and 65-70 down. Find a comfort zone and stay there. As long as your engine is in good condition it should hold up ok.
These vans can get pretty scary in the wind, especially in a heavy crosswind. If you encounter bad conditions you might want to delay your trip or find a different route.

Cooking the exhaust under heavy load is a sign of timing too retarded

Good point. Back then I was still learning how to tune my junk! Now, I use a vacuum gauge so I can give the engine what it wants, not what some chart says I should give it.

I know my speedo is off. It reads a little fast, but I travel that road all the time in various vehicles with working speedos. So, when I say I'm keeping up with traffic and passing cars, I'm doing over 70mph... close to 80 at times.

Well when i'm running it around 65 it sounds and runs good great as a matter of fact, but.. I started spitting oil, plus it tends to heat up. What have you guys used for a overflow for radiator fluid. The engine compartments are tight I was thinking about using the over flow off my quad, its compact. whaccha think??

[i]Likely due to crankcase blowby?? If not overfull with oil?? -find out & repair it.

Vantastic wrote:Well when i'm running it around 65 it sounds and runs good great as a matter of fact, but.. I started spitting oil, plus it tends to heat up. What have you guys used for a overflow for radiator fluid. The engine compartments are tight I was thinking about using the over flow off my quad, its compact. whaccha think??

1) make sure your timing Is where it should be, I found these motors have to be almost dead on if your Gunna be pushing them.
2) make sure your rad isn't clogged and is free flowing
3) once I got my timing where it should be and cleaned my rad I can run with my foot to the floor all day, no spitting oil, no coolant overflow and all with my temp gauge right smack in the middle,

Guys, great and helpful thread. My van runs over 70 with no problem (fastest I've confirmed) and the motor feels nice and tight. The wind, as mentioned, is the dicey prospect.

My speedo is broken, but my wife found a great, free app on our Android phone that has a digital speedo. It reacts pretty quickly to gas pedal input and is a great way to test your speed. My speedo doesn't work, so it was nice to get a "feel" for how fast I am truly going.

I'll try to add the link to the app elsewhere when she arises.

Oh you can get these little buggers up to about 85 or 90 miles an hour. Of course at that point life seems to take on less meaning and St. Peter is talking to you from the passenger seat. Top safe speed is about 65 miles per hour.

These trucks and vans were really not designed for interstate use as in 1961 there were not too many interstates completed. They were designed as some of the first urban delivery and service vehicles. They were specifically lightweight in design and fuel efficient for city driving. As a matter of fact your fuel mileage sucks above 45 mph due to the fact that aerodynamics is pretty nill. Cross winds are hell on these trucks and vans. But they are fun to drive and a blast to use.

The driving and top speed characteristics of the Dodge A100's and the Chevy/GMC G-series vans are very similar.

score602 wrote:

Vantastic wrote:Well when i'm running it around 65 it sounds and runs good great as a matter of fact, but.. I started spitting oil, plus it tends to heat up. What have you guys used for a overflow for radiator fluid. The engine compartments are tight I was thinking about using the over flow off my quad, its compact. whaccha think??

1) make sure your timing Is where it should be, I found these motors have to be almost dead on if your Gunna be pushing them.
2) make sure your rad isn't clogged and is free flowing
3) once I got my timing where it should be and cleaned my rad I can run with my foot to the floor all day, no spitting oil, no coolant overflow and all with my temp gauge right smack in the middle,

I will check the timing for sure.. Thanks

Hey thank you all for the info..I like driving it on the freeway towards da beach!!. The best part is passing my buddy in his VW Bus, that's the best!!

If this is happening in your van......Then you need to slow down...

Good one -Big =W!! Like that pic!! yet close to me is montana- unlimited speed on Interstares & if u get a ticket-its a 5.00 bill =payable @ the time stopped!! Love Idaho & montana=Happy im close to the idaho border!!Happy Vannin= love that pic!!