If you have changed the cam in your motor you better do some more research prior to finding out where your valves float. Cam changes the height and duration valves open in the motor, valves float when the springs can no longer return the valves to a closed state prior to needing to open again.

If you do not have enough tolerance in your motor and your valves float your piston can hit the valve causing major devestation. If you have measured your piston to valve clearance and it is sufficient than there is less worry in floating the valves....however its still not a good idea because larger quanitites of unburnt fuel can make it out of the cylinder and ignite elsewhere.

When installing a cam you 'usually' do springs that match the cam and the cam manu supplies an operating RPM card this is a good starting point to setting a shift point.

 

ok,
Well since you guys seem to not understand why I wanted to know.

It was because I had seen a couple times on this forum (not any stupid ricer forum) about the safe rpm limit on the stangs and wanted to know so that I wouldn't push my car to hard and have to consistently be fixing the car (the stang is also my only means of transportation).

If you didn't read the "whats your age" bord than, the fact that I'm 17 gives me more of a reason not to "hot rod" my car, get caught once and I probable wouldn't be driving anymore, weather cost of insurance sky rocketing or my parents taking the car away I don't want to risk it.

So I was just wondering so that when I eventually get a tachometer Ill be able to know where I should not be taking my engine.

 

hi im 17 also and have a 66 with a 289 and a 3 speed standard. after driving a while u kinda lean what speed each gear is for . on mine 1st was 0-15 2nd was 15-35 and 3rd gear was 35- about 75. my engine badly needs a rebuild and after buying a tach i recognized after runnign the engine andf driving that i would want to set my redline to about 4000. i dont know if this is normal if not i look forward to knowing what other 289s redline at. and what to expect after a rebuild.

 

Yep, point taken! Especially if you have a car with a lot of miles on the engine. The 289's could crankj up pretty quick in a small car like that!

 

I don't know when the last time the engine has been rebuilt but it runs pretty good, doesn't smoke, and I can still squeal the tire (good old one wheel wonder ) if I floor it.

Ive been kinda getting the same, if I drive it normally I shift at about the same speeds.