Just as a reference, from my "Mighty Mopars 1960-1974" book, by Anthony Young.
1968 383/4bbl 330hp@5200rpm, 425ft/lb@3400rpm
1968 426/8bbl 425hp@5000rpm, 490ft/lb@4000rpm
1968 440/4bbl 375hp@4600rpm, 480ft/lb@3200rpm
Note these motors, especially the Hemi, have been noted in many books as being heavily underated in HP and Torque specs, as were the the FoMoCo and GM offerings. This book noted it, as have others I have seen.
Note it is interesting the torque numbers of the 440 vs the Hemi. Same basic torque, much lower rpm... More streetable?
No, none were offered with an OD.
That F450 still gets with it at 80mph. It is revving though, even with the taller 19.5 in wheels. Not sure of the overall diameter, but it appears taller than the stock tires on my Dodge.
My Dodge still has plenty of juice at 80-85, even with 4.11's. The newer pickup truck diesels will rev out a little.
The Fire Station I used to work at had older Cat3208's with Allisons in mid-80's Ford C8000 series buildups. They had 2500rpm redlines, and maxed out at 55mph. The water tender had a Detroit 350hp V8, and it had a low rpm redline too. The new engine, and HME/Ferrara with a 8.9L Cummins 350hp and Allison gets down the road pretty good. It'll cruise at 75mph no problem, and leaves the older engines in the dust. It also revs higher too(plus an extra 10hp, even with a heavier engine).
My expierince is limited, but the only tranny I have had problems with is the 5sp manual "ZF" in my '89 Ford. Replaced it with a granny box, and no more problems. The Dodge is low miles, but tows the Kubota often. I have had no problems. One friend has a '99 Dodge V10/auot 2wd that he tows a 35' 5th whell with. He has not had any problems. Another friend had a '99 F250 4x4 PS/auto. She towed 3-horse trailers with no issues, but sold at 40k miles for other reasons. Her husbands '99 GMC 454/auto 3500 crew cab dually tows a Massey or 3-horse trailer, with no problems.
Cross my fingers, eyes, arms, legs and toes, I have not seen the problems mentioned here. My plan is for my '01 Ram to last at least 10 years and 250k miles. I wonder what the optins will be in the 2011 model year?
