3.0L Max RPM....Another newbie question....

[2kwik4u]

I looked around on the motor this weekend while out, and I didn't see a tag that tells me what the max RPM for my motor is. It's a 3.0L in a '98 182.

On glass smooth water late Sunday evening, full throttle and trimmed up as far as it would go it was in the 4800rpm range. It seemed to run well, and was making great speed. Speedo currently isn't working, but I was paced by my uncles Pontoon at 35mph @ ~3,500 rpm. The extra 1,300 or so RPM made me jump up and walk away from him. I'm going to guess in the 40-43mph range......

Anyway, the prop is a Stainless 48-16316 19P with "Mercury Vengance" stamped on it. I know that has some bearing on the RPM reached, I just want to make sure I don't overrev and hurt the motor. Any word from the resident experts?

[gmricketts]

According to the Seloc manual WOT rpm on the 4 cyl engine is 4200-4600 with one setup (plugs/timing etc) and 4400-4800 with the other. May be newer heads or other diffrences. Weird Walt is the expert. With our older engine i never push more the 4000 now and usually run 3600-3700. This is a  21 year old engine. Runs great and does not use any oil.  Take this info with a grain of salt.

George