Posted by Matt Wilson [172.69.69.37] on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 00:16:39 :
In Reply to: 230 C.I.D Redline posted by Vaughn [172.69.33.74] on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 12:58:10 :
Great info, Vaughn! I suppose this is prompted by the thread below, where I brought up the subject of company lab tests that were reported to take place at somewhat high rpm. I certainly didn't intend to push anyone to go faster than they feel comfortable taking their engines. I just thought it was worth noting that maybe these engines are not so fragile as thought by many, including me for many years. Its kind of fun to see people doing some of the things they say they've done with them.
5000 rpm may be a good number for the 230. I read a very detailed set of posts by some guys who were using a 230 for tractor pull competitions, and they claimed to take the engine up to 6000 rpm for brief periods and 5000 rpm sustained (as sustained as tractor pulls are) numerous times over a period of a couple of years. At some point, they decided to modify the bottom end oiling because they were getting excessive bearing wear. Otherwise, they made it somewhat of a point to say they were using stock parts (rods, rod bolts, crank). Assuming that's all true, that's pretty impressive. I would say the longer engine, with its non-offset rods, should do that even better, and as I mentioned in my post below, there are some stories that seem to support that.
Of course, it always stands to reason that an engine will last longer at lower rpms and it also warrants caution in determining redline for one's own engine, especially if the engine has a fair amount of wear on it.
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