# The final Dope on 4 stroke engine wear.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-dope-on-4-stroke-engine-wear/156164>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 19, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-dope-on-4-stroke-engine-wear/156164 "2003-02-19T17:51:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-dope-on-4-stroke-engine-wear/156164/21 "2003-02-21T16:20:54Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by something clever \*  
> \*\*fuel, exactly what are you trying to find out here? maybe if you were a little clearer with maybe the context of the question, or the arguement you were having with your friend that spurred this question, we would be able to tell you _exactly_ what you’re looking for \*\*

What makes you think I haven’t gotten all my answers, and then some?

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**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-dope-on-4-stroke-engine-wear/156164/22 "2003-02-21T16:43:54Z")

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Great info **Boo Boo Foo** thanks for the post.

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**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-dope-on-4-stroke-engine-wear/156164/23 "2003-02-21T17:18:25Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Rick \*  
> \*\*Well yeah, you should have. Since the OP mentioned downshifting, and I have never seen an airplane that could be downshifted, colored me lost when I read your post. 😕  
> \*\*

You’re right, it was my mistake. You can lug an airplane engine by running it at a low RPM, and a high power setting with a constant speed prop. Comparing that to a car going up a hill was probably a little too simplified, considering the differences between the car ignition system and the airplanes.

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**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-dope-on-4-stroke-engine-wear/156164/24 "2003-02-22T02:34:08Z")

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I seem to recall that the Rolls Royce Merlin engine, a 27 litre supercharged AVGAS V12 with a 3 (or was it 5?) stage blower was capable of maintaining a pretty constant 3,000 rpm in flight.

Considering the size of the pots involved, and the blasted 11 foot propellers the Spitfires and P51 Mustangs used to have, I reckon that’s pretty bloody impressive.

Those Merlins, the Packard built ones that is, were also used in Patrol Boats like President JFK used to command in WWII - or for those of you who are less familiar - like the one’s used in McHales Navy. Yep, that’s right - those torpedo Patrol Boats had a pair of Merlins in 'em.

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