RPMs in WOT

[drbarbara]

I have a V20 powered with a Ford 302 engine and a volvo penta 280 outdrive. It currently has a 14 inch 19 pitch prop. It will max out it's RPM's at wide open throttle at around 3500. I tried a different prop with a 15 pitch and it went all the way to 4300. I have been trying to find out what is the RPM's this engine is rated for but so far have been unable. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[spareparts]

i don't know specifically for the Volvo, but mercruisers I have worked on in the past with the 302 generally propped out to around 4400-4600. if you have any question about teh engine performance, start with a compresion check, it may save you time, but never money. What year model are you working with?

[drbarbara]

What I am worried about is that a 19 pitch might be too steep and that I should be looking for a 17 or even a 15 pitch. Yesterday another guy told me that the 302 was a very "short" engine and that it did better in low RPM's generating a lot of torque rather than in high RPM's.

As far as the year of the engine I am not sure but probably mid or late 80's. The hull is originaly 1967.

thanks again

[THEFERMANATOR]

Not sure on the 302, but I worked on an old 351 before and it's WOT was 3800-4200.

[randlemanboater]

Yesterday another guy told me that the 302 was a very "short" engine and that it did better in low RPM's generating a lot of torque rather than in high RPM's.




Thats the line that Ford guys will use to explain their lack of horsepower.

[spareparts]

the mercruiser 302's were 888's. they used the 351 cam, heads, and firing order, they were rated at 188 hp. The OMC 302s were only rated at 170. 4200-4400 soounds right, make sure you are using an accurate tach to check rpm by