Flattie RPM Redline?

What's a relatively safe RPM limit for a 49-53 Merc Flathead?

 

MIKE...the redline for all flatheads is, peddel to the metal and where ever it top's out is it...POP.

 

we used to twist those little sidevalve junior dragsters to 9,000---that was pedal to the metal for 1/8 mile

 

I wouldn't twist anything with only three main bearings much faster than idle!

 

Wow, really? And all this time I thought I needed my tach.....so, "tops out" doesn't equal "big bang"?

 

Most if the ones I have run on the dyno top out around 4500. But.... I have heard from some old timers that if you want to make more power you gotta twist them.

 

You might also consider posting this on the (new) Fordbarn: http://69.61.21.195/

 

So his Flathead "tops out" at 8,000, WOW. At 8,000 rpm I bet he used the full meaning to the word "launch". We don't call it redline anymore, the more technical term is "top out".

 

I'd like to see him run 10 grand with a flatty.

 

Yea me too.

A flatty won't spin fast enough to grenade itself if it is mostly solid.

10 K, yea right. There are guys running blown and on nitro on the salt that can't get 8 outa one. The first liar just doesn't stand a chance.

Maybe an Ardun headed flatty but then again that isn't a flatty is it.

 

The boys that built Flatfire, the world's fastest Flat Head (streamliner, 301+ out the back door) they reckoned that 6500 was about max for a tricked out (and their's made 700HP) Flat Head. And with **** Landy, Bruce Crower and Jim Middlebrook behind the engineering, I'll take their word for it.

10,000? someone is pulling you leg!

As for the OP's question, for a mild stocker, figure 5,000 is going to be more than you need and all that it can take.