ACME 430

How often are you actually going to turn it 5000 rpms? We barefoot the 73 every time it is in the water, and the boat has not been WFO in two years, (at least while I'm driving it, and I don't suspect anyone else has put it to the throttle stop either). My footing partner likes to long line at 43-44 mph. so we're turning 4500 rpm.

Do you lug your manual transmission cars up the hills? Remember what the detonation knock sounds like when you do? I'm not sure I could discern that sound in the boat at wide open.

When I tested props I remember how efficient the cruising performance of the 540 was, in the mid 20's to the low 30's the mph's were above the rpms. I would pay attention to the rpms and the speed at the cruising speed you like, I'll bet the difference is not as great as you think. Slightly over propping will cause a bigger penalty in fuel consumption when loaded, (skiing, speed runs, etc.)

GottaSki wrote: I concur, higher rpm higher vacuum condition could be better for economy and as your remarked, damn fun too. wouldn't worry about it fragging, chevies like to spin.

That they do.

Which mirror Bruce?

I seem to have a problem keeping my secondaries closed too ;). Although with the 540 its almost possible to pull me 38 footing and stay out of the secondaries. I think they start to tip in just a tiny bit at foot speed.

Wide F***ing Open Steve haha..

I'm not sure I have never taken mine out and not done a WOT run just because I can.

Maybe not a top end WOT run but you gotta make it point down to hear some Ford music.

I stuff the thing down a lot more now than I did pre 540 days. I was getting back to putting around with the 208 on it but I got the 540 back on and now it's hot rod city ha. Need to get the gps back on it again and tweak the timing so see if I can find another MPH.