Well I've done some more puttering on the old 69, still can't get it to cruise like it should. To recap at first I thought it was the diff, turns out to be 3:25, posi, just what it should be. The tranny is a 4 speed toploader, also the numbers match. Next was the flexfan, a cheap aftermarket one that I replaced with the correct size 6 blade steel fan. Still the same problem. Today I even took it for a quick spin without the fan just to be sure. Still the same, maximum RPM's I dare to push it to is 3000, thats 65 MPH. I hooked up a tach to confirm what I thought was a much higher RPM, I figured it was at least 4000-4500 RPM's at 65 MPH, turns out it is 2500 at 55 MPH and 3000 at 65 MPH. Right where it should be with 25.9 in tires, right? Why does it sound like it's maxed out? It's a 351W with an Edelbrock intake and 4 BBL, pertronix ignition,headers and dual exhaust. It always starts and runs like a top, It just whines out way to soon for my tastes. I hit 4th gear at 35-40 MPH because it's whining so high and by the time I hit 50 I wish I had a 5th gear. Is there anything I can do??? Help.

 

Maybe its noise from something else and it just sounds like the engine??Bad road noise or something? I'm just grasping at straws here.

 

Not road noise, I can rev it up at the carb and have my son read me the tach, 3K is as far as I dare to go.

 

Thats very odd. A 351W should have a pretty high redline. At least a lot more than 3000

 

Hey Ideal, How is that 68 at highway speed? Beautiful car.

 

I don't have a tach, but it does great at highway speed. At 55 I would say 2000-2500. Its got a 2:73 rearend. I don't get it very fast often because brakes still arent the best but I've had it to 70 a couple of times and it don't even sound like its straining.

 

Do you have a fan clutch? A too stiff fan clutch can make the fan noisy at higher rpms

 

I am wondering if you don't have a truck cam or some really low RPM style cam. Do you know? Perhaps you just need a cam swap.

 

No it's not a clutch fan.
Is there anyway to find out what cam I have without taking it out?

 

Have you compared it with other 351W cars?