Hurricane F134 Driveability

It's mostly about wind resistance. Wind resistance increases with the square of velocity, so it takes roughly 4x the amount of power to go twice as fast. The F134 has peak power at about 3500 RPM. Above or below that, power falls off. The gears were chosen so that the maximum forward speed against the wind is at peak power. Change the gearing to make the engine run slower, and you lose top speed. Change the gearing to make the engine run faster, and the torque curve falls off and ... you lose top speed. Same thing into a headwind. Same thing up a hill. Same result. You can't squeeze blood from a stone.

 

Ron,

My CJ has adjustable stops to keep this from happening. If you have issues with oversize tires, you can adjust these stops to keep that from happening. I am running 31's and they seem to be a happy medium all the way around. I still have a turning radius that's respectable, they don't totally rob my power and they give me some clearance. I like them. I also have wheels with an offset, but since they come from the PO, I don't know how much of an offset I have.

 

I love the f-134 around town in a rural village, and on trails. Personally I consider 50mph to be my comfortable top end limit, on the original engine.

On state roads with conventional traffic, there is a lot of pyschological pressure to over-rev the Jeep so as to not be leading a parade.

That can quickly hurt an engine that is not in new condition... and anyhow, it's no fun.

 

I ran mine with the windshield down the other day and it is amazing how much drag that windshield creates. Very noticeable. However, in the psychotic state of CA, it is illegal to drive with the windshield down.

 

i consider driving with the windshield up to always be a real drag, regardless of speed.

 

Me, too, Pete, but State Troopers frown on the "hi-speed/lo drag" mode around here. Welcome to the over-regulated, psychotic state of CA...

 

That sucks. When I was a kid listening to the Beach Boys, I thought California must be the cooolest place in the world

New Hampshire = "Live Free or Die."


"The right to be let alone is indeed the beginning of all freedoms."
William O. Douglas

 

What about more CFM's from the carb. Would that help? I think that if you do the math (there was a thread about this) 150 cfm is good (?).

 

Except for that whole state inspection BS.

 

I ran a 2 Jet on my F-head for a while with ported intakes and a high compression head. The upper RPMs really opened up quite a bit, but the off-idle lug-ability really suffered.

It's a game of compromises.

 

This thread explains exactly why most engines get swapped and Dana 25 and 27s give way to a Dana 30.

 

Huh. When I lived in California, I drove around the burbs with the windshield down all the time and nobody bothered me. Of course, this was 1973, so maybe that matters.

 

The 134 will be fine to 55 mph as it is with 5.38's. Anything more will be asking a lot. Its ok because if you don't upgrade the steering and brakes you won't want to go faster.

 

Very true.

a) It is easier with antiques. No emissions test.
b) It is a whole lot easier if you live in a small town.

 

I have a 67 cj6. Hurricane motor. After reading a ton for about two months I think I'm leaning toward doing the 4.3 v-6 conversion. Nice to hear others are going through the same deliberations. Probably throw in the Muncie sm420 as well.

 

100% agree -

I have a 66 CJ5 completely stock with the F134. I live in an area mostly flat with small hills - the F134 is good at 50mph - 55mph. I have done 60 mph but only on good pavement with a tail wind but I do realize its pushing it. I have the 9" brakes without the star wheel adjuster. So each pads are adjusted individually with an eccentric. They are not that easy to set them perfectly right and you learn to leave a lot of distance between the guy in the front. If I had a minimum amount of money to spent - I would put them on the brakes (11" drums) first since I am happy with the motor as it is.

 

I am very comfortable with the F134 in my '60. No trouble running 50-55mph with occasional 60 mph stretches.
Being retired, I am in no hurry to get anywhere, so 50-55 mph is fine with me.