[Jack Zupan]

I would like to hear about others experience with small block power. I have a Windsor block with 2V Cleveland heads. This seems to be a nice combination and the car runs pretty good. I think it would run mid 12s. One thing that has surprised me since I owned the car is that it tops out at relatively low rpm, around 5500. I expected a short stroke small block to turn 6500 but maybe this is not realistic. My big block Mopars used to turn between 6000-6200 and that is a lot more rotating mass. I also just put a new MSD distributor in the car and it had no effect on maximum rpm.

So my questions are: What are other peoples experience with 351 Ford engines. Is 5500 normal? What determines rpm potential in an engine? Cam, stroke, weight of rotating assembly? Finally, would a Cleveland block have more rpm potential with the smaller main journal diameters than a similar Windor block.

Jack Z