Engine Speed

[Bill Ford]

My brother recently acquired a '70 280SL (I think that's right) and he is not sure he is getting into top gear. What RPM should be showing in top gear at 70 MPH?

 

[television]

My brother recently acquired a '70 280SL (I think that's right) and he is not sure he is getting into top gear. What RPM should be showing in top gear at 70 MPH?

Hi Bill, I think that the gearing was 20mph per 1k revs

You can work it out if you wish

the back axle ratio used was one or the following the 3 axles depended on the gearbox fitted

10658 REAR AXLE,RATIO 1:4.08 OR 1:3.92
10659 REAR AXLE,RATIO 1:3.69

 

[type49]

That would be a 113 chassis number & called a "Pagoda". Not driven one for a few years but I would say between 3000-3300RPM.

 

[Bill Ford]

Thanks, guys, I think he is not used to high-reving engines and thought he was still in second gear or something. Ha! he told me he thought it was going to "blow up".