New user with a classic car

[Domman56]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

No, they aren't.

In this day we should not be satisfied with anything less than 30 mpg.

I'm just confused by that statement because BOTH of ur Vehicles in ur tag get waay under 30 MPG , Well not the tempo but that still is quite a bit under 30 and that's a 4 cylinder

[Clev]

Originally Posted by Domman56

I'm just confused by that statement because BOTH of ur Vehicles in ur tag get waay under 30 MPG , Well not the tempo but that still is quite a bit under 30 and that's a 4 cylinder

Maybe that should be rephrased then. In the modern era of lightweight high-strength steel, direct injection, small displacement turbocharged engines, manumatics and CVTs, lockup torque converters and overdrive gearing, we should not be satisfied with less than 30 mpg from any NEW vehicle.

[Nonhog]

Nice work on the great job of getting great MPG no matter what some say.
I'd be concerned about an O/D trans with a low torque engine like a 301 in a heavy car with 2.29 gears not saying it won't work but think it through.

Remember if you adj. the exhaust(better flow) it will probably require carb work to maximize benefit.

Sounds like fun, pics?

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by Domman56

I'm just confused by that statement because BOTH of ur Vehicles in ur tag get waay under 30 MPG , Well not the tempo but that still is quite a bit under 30 and that's a 4 cylinder

If I say I'm not satisfied, does that clear up the confusion?

The Tempo should get mid 30's but it has an awful a/t. A 5-sp conversion is in order. As you may note if you look at "Blue's" fuel log, it doesn't get driven much. Hardly ever, actually.

The truck is a truck and it doesn't get driven around empty much. It isn't going to get 30 no matter what some people believe, especially when it's working hard.

The ShWing is a disappointment fe wise, but 32 is in line with what I've read they all get. EFI would help a lot on that machine I'm sure. Gearing and aero too.

[comptiger5000]

The older V8s can be great highway runners. They suck the gas bigtime around town, but many of them were geared well to hit their efficiency peak at higher speeds on the highway, as they had enough torque to turn low RPMs and still cruise along easily.

The Mopar 360 in my Jeep will turn 1200 rpm doing 40 in OD (4 speed auto, 4th gear) with the TC locked and still have enough power to GAIN speed uphill around town without downshifting. That's the only reason the mileage isn't much worse than the 6 cylinder in actual use. Now, if I had the money to re-gear it so I wasn't turning 2000 rpm at 65 mph, that would help a lot, as it has the torque to do it at lower RPMs.

[tim3058]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

No, they aren't.

In this day we should not be satisfied with anything less than 30 mpg.

With a car and an engine that size, anything over like 12 is respectable. I'd be dancing in the streets if my old cars got 20mpg. For the stone-age technology the old V8's had, the fact they could get mid teens hooked to a 3 speed in a 4000lb land barge puts new technology to shame. Nothing like being able to light 'em up when you want to either ... I'd guess most of the guys aren't driving em for commuters anyways

[Frank Lee]

My '59 Bel Air gets 20. I had a V8 Nova that got low 20s. 20 mpg is not efficient for cars that aren't towing giant trailers or anything. 20 mpg sucks. Now, when the truck gets 20 with a trailer and/or a load, then I dance in the streets.

[tim3058]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

My '59 Bel Air gets 20. I had a V8 Nova that got low 20s. 20 mpg is not efficient for cars that aren't towing giant trailers or anything. 20 mpg sucks. Now, when the truck gets 20 with a trailer and/or a load, then I dance in the streets.

I wish. The one time I checked my 84 Camaro got 16mpg (wheezer 305), and I'm not expecting anything over 10-14 in the Corvette when it's done.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

My '59 Bel Air gets 20. I had a V8 Nova that got low 20s. 20 mpg is not efficient for cars that aren't towing giant trailers or anything. 20 mpg sucks. Now, when the truck gets 20 with a trailer and/or a load, then I dance in the streets.

My dad had an '86 Mustang GT with the 5.0L V8, Goodyear Gatorbacks, and a horrendous 3-speed automatic whose only redeeming quality was a tall top gear. He was thrilled to get 20MPG. I loved getting it sideways in the rain and never much cared what the MPGs were. Those were the days.

[lumberjack_jeff]

Welcome!