Can anyone hazard an educated guess for the Max safe RPM for a 2.1 Pinto running a single downdraft carb and Piper 285 cam?

I'd start the redline at 6000...maybe 5500

If you buy the right parts, tutriffied crank, forged pistons, h-beam con rods etc they will go to 10,000rpm. Has been done many times. Failing that kind of expense use studs in the head, crank and con rods safely go to 7,500 rpm

Thing is are you asking what speed to "go up to" or what speed "to go up to for a prolonged time"?

Des Hammil says old 2 litre forged rods are good for 6700, the rev limit for my own pinto.and the 205 injection rods good for 7000. hope this helps
Charlie

sorry i don't run a downdraft, but my red line is 6800rpm on a 2.1 pinto, std internals, race head and R1 throttle bodies

205 block: 7300rpm
20 or 200 block: 6700rpm

On standard internals

Simples

I would think that with a single down draught you'll run out of air about 6250 though.

download this, it tells you all you need to know about tuning the pinto -

tuning manual PDF

What size carb is it - 32/36 DGV, IDF 45 etc...?

That is more likely to be the limiting factor as to how high the engine WILL actually rev rather than how high it COULD rev.

Mine is out of air at around 6300-6400 with a standard 32/36DGV carb and standard cam. TBH it's not making any more power above 6000 anyway so I treat that as my change point. That said a Piper 285 cam should still be asking for more air at 6000 so your back to how much air you can get through the carb/manifold.

The Des Hammill book "How To Power Tune Ford's SOHC Engine" is a worthy reference on all things Pinto. Just sold my copy on here as it happens

I've got the Vizard and Hammill books if you want to read up on all things pinto

Thanks guys!

Mr whippy a big "thankyou" for that download just had a quick butchers and now i feel reassured that my old 20 block thats bored to 2.1 should be ok after all,
been reading everywhere "you need a 205 block to go 2.1" and des says that the walls are all the same
thanks
Ray

As this is my thread, others are not permitted to benefit from any advice given... it is all mine (mwuhahahahahahaha!).

Therefore you are owe me £25 Ray... !

Back on topic then - I can't afford the fees here...

I have a rr print out for my Ferriday 2.1 with a 285 cam and twin 45s and max power is at 6400.

I don't usually rev it past that.