The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - Low gears, high RPM's, and the gas station. Near Portland, Oregon

shelby987 · 02-01-2008, 03:01 AM

I always just jack up the rear of the truck (if it is an open rear, only one wheel needs to be off the ground). Rotate the lifted wheel off the ground, and count how many times the pinion yoke rotates (just over 4=4.10's, just under 3.73, three and a half times 3.42, four and a half times = 4.56). It has worked for me many times without fail.
Make sure you get a tach that is 6cyl. friendly, some are 8cyl. specific, others have a dial switch inside the housing that needs to be changed depending on the engine. Again, I think with regular maintenance, these engines are more than happy at 3,000+rpm on the highway....

my 03 saturn turns 3,200~3,300rpm on the highway at 75~80mph.....I regularly drive 12 hours straight stopping only for gas.....and I would say my 250 is probably more stout than the 2.2 in my car.

02-01-2008, 03:01 AM	#9
shelby987 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Just outside Durham, NC Posts: 894	Re: Low gears, high RPM's, and the gas station. Near Portland, Oregon I always just jack up the rear of the truck (if it is an open rear, only one wheel needs to be off the ground). Rotate the lifted wheel off the ground, and count how many times the pinion yoke rotates (just over 4=4.10's, just under 3.73, three and a half times 3.42, four and a half times = 4.56). It has worked for me many times without fail. Make sure you get a tach that is 6cyl. friendly, some are 8cyl. specific, others have a dial switch inside the housing that needs to be changed depending on the engine. Again, I think with regular maintenance, these engines are more than happy at 3,000+rpm on the highway.... my 03 saturn turns 3,200~3,300rpm on the highway at 75~80mph.....I regularly drive 12 hours straight stopping only for gas.....and I would say my 250 is probably more stout than the 2.2 in my car. __________________ 1969 SS 350 Camaro Sold 2008 1970 3/4T K20, stock height with 33's, 250 I6, 3 on the tree, and locked front and rear 4.10's 1980 Chevy Malibu 2 dr Sold 2007 1993 Olds. Cutlass Ciera Wagon Traded 2006 2003 Saturn L200 w/5pd. D/D My list spans 5 decades with One common thread.....GM!