How many rpm is good for my 66 Stepside

[BillyDeluxe]

Hi folks,

i have a 1966 C10 stepside. It has a 350 transmission and a 350 engine out of a 1980 C10. It has a Edelbrock intake manifold and carburetor (650). Rest is all stock. Without any changes this engine has only about 170hp i think with the named Edelbrock stuff it could have about 200hp now.

I had some discussions with my friends, all driving old Chevys, about how fast the truck could go. I don't wanted to test it by myself yet ;-) What do you think? How many rpm would you go without a risk of serious damages?

Thanks for your estimates. I will try it and give feedback what happend

greetings from germany (sorry for my bloody english)

this is it (for those who haven't seen yet) :

[jchav62]

Sounds like a pretty mild/stock 350. I wouldn't go too far past 4,000-4,500.

Cool looking truck by the way!

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by jchav62

I wouldn't go too far past 4,000-4,500.

Mac.

[BillyDeluxe]

OK!

Last year on a sunny day i had about 4200rpm on a exit of a highway and a max speed of about 90mph. That was risky enough for the moment with a bad stock steering and bad stock brakes on a narrow german street. And believe me, we have really narrow streets in germany not like you in the states. The pipes directly under my cab (shortened a little bit with a pair of new glass packs) were screaming. We are in the glad situation in germany not to have such strict speed limits like you.

Oh man, i am looking forward to drive again this year but unfortunately we still have winter in germany!

[kizer]

Its nice to see those bare 6lugs too.

I used to have the same woody stickers on my old Firebird. Of course we used to call it Firechicken too.

[Fred T]

If it has the original valve springs it won't turn much over 4.500 to 5,000 rpm. That's the way GM designed the engine so you couldn't turn it to fast.

[LILRED66]

Welcome to the forums from Kansas City, KS. We are about in the center of the US, for a geographical reference point. Thank goodness for the world wide web. It brings us all closer across the globe.

Ten years ago, this would not be possible.

Welcome aboard and post early and often, especially photos, lots of photos.

PS - I really like your truck, especially the red.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

6K is good.... for a few seconds

[protrash64]

Welcome from AZ.....I agree with the others. Ive seen people beat the hell out of some smallblocks (late 60's/ early 70's) and they would get up to 6k rpm. This was in stock form. NOT recommended unless you are planning on building a new engine; they wont last long.

For the speeds over there I would look into an overdrive transmission.

[kdrodworks316]

I say as long as its not 0 rpm, your in good shape. That means the truck is running, and should be driving and thats just a good thing. Drive that 'ol girl and enjoy it. btw, I wind mine up between 4200 and 4500 with a 283 and a powerglide.