I have desmoged, installed Ranger header, installed Weber carb. Can't seem to get over 65mph. What would I have to do to increase mph?

Rob H.

As they say in Drag Racing, Howfast do you want to go $$$$$
You could probably put larger diameter wheels in the rear to to knock the rear end ratio numerically lower or put a Ranger rear end in where different ratios are available ???

Well we have had ours for 12 + years and desmoged, Ranger Header,but original carburetor and have no problem doing 65 and allot faster but do not drive it that way. The Shay is not design to run at high speed, Remember it is a replica of a car that was not design to go that fast!

Gary M Wood
Webmaster
Shay Model A Website
www.geocities.com/shaymodela/
SOCI Membership Chairman

Hi, I think you have something off, I am no expert,but the shays I just bought goes around 80 MPH, freeway speed in So. California, and it passed smog.In my opinion that is to fast for a shays,my convertable top was ready to blow off or disintergrate. My speedo said 75Mph, I think the speedo reading is off, it felt like I was flying.

Problem is that most Shays were built with 3:1 rearends. This worked fine in the Pinto with 13" wheels and small tires, but is too high gear ratio for most who have 14/15/16" wheels and larger tires.

You can correct by finding a rear end from a Mustang of the same period (or later) with higher ratio, or better, find an 8" Ford rear that you can get higher ratio gears for. There is a good item in the archives on this.

The Ford 2300 engine likes lots of rpm. Esslinger race engines can run up to 10000rpm, of course, these are highly modified and strengthened. You might also consider a roller cam for a little more power.

In my dry lakes days (39-47), we ran a fenderless Model A with Cragar overhead, dual 97 carbs, Winfield cam etc 112mph with 3.78:1 gears and 700x16 wheels/tires. I am sure we didnt have the HP that youcan get with a mildly tuned 2.3 engine.
I also ran a 32 highboy V8 126mph with 3.54 gears and 700x16s, engine turned a little over 5000 rpm at that speed.

I would rather roll a Shay at 55 MPH than 80,you want speed,get a Mercedes,you want to have some fun,drive your Shay the way they were built 2b driven,sensibly .If you drive faster than 55 with a Shay on the highway,good luck ,let me know what funeral home you will be resting at and I'll be there to say good bye .....

Hi all
I agree with Paul.However I find 60 MPH is just fine with our Shay.That is the limit for me but I have had it a bit higher once or twice briefly
Basically a desmogged engine.Rebuilt carb and played a bit with the timing.Exhaust is 2 inch with a pretty ordinary muffler.
Yes I can go fast in my Sunbeam tigers.Can Pass with ease or blow some doors off of some .Ollie my wife asks when I do these things do you really need to prove it anymore.Fastest I ever went was 125 in 3rd gear(still had 4th and 5th) when passing a big motor home in a no passing zone.Well I didn't have to change the underwear but it was damm scary
My wife likes the more sedate me when driving the Shay.Hardly passing anything and most likely never over the speed limit.I really do enjoy the Shay as nobody really gets frustrated when they are stuck behind us for a bit of time.They eventually pass and give the thumbs up sign and or toot their horn.