RPMs in WOT
 

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

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?

Rpm
 

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

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

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

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