Out of curiosity, and the need to get my Deuce to Arizona from Colorado..
How far has anyone here actually run their Deuce out on an interstate? What top speed could you safely maintain without getting nervous about your rods staying inside?
Most people here have taken their Deuces out on the interstate, some have recovered them at almost 2000 miles. Most run around 48 - 52 mph over long distances to be safe so if you run around that it should be ok. I've talked to my AMSA buddies and they said run them at their governor (which is what I do, except downhill) as that is what the engine was designed to do. In their years in the service (30+ years each, one has retired, the other will be) they had only had 1 truck blow an engine and that was because some internal bolts weren't tight from the overhaul shop. I'll trust their hours of experience for my truck any day.
Dan
1970 Kaiser Jeep M35A2 "Big Mother" WO/W W/VIC-1 Intercom 1971 AM General M35A2 WO/W (Sold) 1987 Turtle Mountain M105A2
1200 miles, all highway, about 45-50 MPH, and 7.5 MPG. I have never had more fun in my life!
As to the remark about the engine being designed to run against its governor, I would think that is wrong. The governor is set for 2800 RPM, but the truck is full of warnings that the max speed is 2600 RPM. 2800 RPM is fast for a diesel the size of the MF.
I drove mine 500 miles straight at recovery time. As a 25 year heavy mechanic I will go with not running it on the governor. I have run all my deuces on the highway at 45-50 mph as that is where they seem to be the happiest. Not trying to tell anyone their business. Just stop and think of the size of the rotating mass. My first deuce I ran it on the governor on hiway many times with no problem but why stress it out if you don't have to.
Just my C.T.Mustang
Did 1000 miles round trip to the Ga rally in the M109 from central florida. Not quite as far as recovery4x4 but close. Ran 55 to 60 mph on the way up, nervous about winding it to tight. The gps said I topped out at 62.5 mph on level hiway at full throttle on the gov. On the way back home, pulled the hand throttle all the way out, feet flat on the floor and just rode. Letting up on it on just the downhill parts. If I didn't have a time frame to meet, would not have run it that hard. It's much happier at 45 to 50 mph.
Left Macon trying to catch these National Guard guys to show'em the old deuce still had it! Ran full throttle and passed them before they got off at tifton!
How far has anyone travelled in their Deuce?
C.T.Mustang
