1987 442 26.7 mpg stock v-8 3700 lbs.

[analogkid455]

[cleanspeed1]

I like this Oldsmobile personally..........runs 10s, looks and sounds stock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=973F-L0AtTA

Wait, we're supposed to be talking high mpg, right?

[analogkid455]

Turbo's will do that for you!

Nice sleeper!

I run full exhaust on the Omega. You can't hear it go down the track.

[sszewczuk]

analog

what type of mods have you done to your 442 to get that mpg?

[sszewczuk]

hey Analog,

Back in 2010 you posted this:
"Now I have a 1987 442 with a carbed Olds 307 v-8 with .67 O.D., 3.73 gears and it gets 10-13 mpg at 60 mph on the highway. Everything has been checked and gone through and the engine runs perfect. I know the 3.73 gears will hurt mileage, but that much? Cd will effect it also. The 442 is about .4 and the Firebird is around .3 . The only other thing I can think of is, the 307 only had 8:1 CR while the 305 had 9.4:1. Why would I be getting less than half the mileage? My 1974 Olds Omega with a 500hp 468 Big Block Olds with no O.D. and 3.73 gears gets 10-12 on the highway. I might as well drive that!"

Then in 2011 you said you are getting 26.5 MPG on the same 442. How did you make such a difference?

[analogkid455]

Yeah, I plugged the torque converter up and advanced the timing. It was off by about 15 degrees. The moron that owned it before unplugged the converter lockup and the TV cable wasn't adjusted properly.

I also tuned it up with new wires, plugs, cap and rotor. Rebuilt the carb also.

[Phantom]

Taller gearing would help that quite a bit my NA 3800 runs 2.93 gears with no problem and has less torque.

[analogkid455]

Yeah I thought about higher gears but the thing barely gets out of it's own way with 3.73's. Maybe runs high 15's in the 1/4 mile. That's why I want to put a 350 Olds in it with 2.73 gears. Should have more torque to the wheels than the 307 and 3.73's. And built the right way will get way better MPG. I'm going to shoot for mid 30's.

May be awhile since the money situation is crap right now for me.

On a high note, putting headers and true dual exhaust on it should pick up some MPG (maybe 2-3) and I can use it with the 350 Olds when I get it in there.

The stock exhaust is horribly restrictive on these cars but I guess it wouldn't matter much in cruise. IDK.

[NHRABill]

Originally Posted by analogkid455

Yeah I thought about higher gears but the thing barely gets out of it's own way with 3.73's. Maybe runs high 15's in the 1/4 mile. That's why I want to put a 350 Olds in it with 2.73 gears. Should have more torque to the wheels than the 307 and 3.73's. And built the right way will get way better MPG. I'm going to shoot for mid 30's.

May be awhile since the money situation is crap right now for me.

On a high note, putting headers and true dual exhaust on it should pick up some MPG (maybe 2-3) and I can use it with the 350 Olds when I get it in there.

The stock exhaust is horribly restrictive on these cars but I guess it wouldn't matter much in cruise. IDK.

Just do a cam swap on the 307 with a mild grind giving you better low end power (aka RV cam) you can probably get all of the parts for under $200 bucks including gaskets and you will have a nice ride with slightly better performance and mpg's.



Edit:
After taking a closer look at your engine:

http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofe307.htm


depending on the vin code and your specific model if you have the roller 307 then there is little else you can do to maximize your fe and performance unless you started to do more hot rod tricks like cutting of weight and taking strain off engine ( swapping to electric fuel pump, dumping the a/c unit, smog pump getting rid of charcoal filter and the like. I had a carbed 87 F-bird years back so I am going off the 305 knowledge I used on my ride here.

Of course there are a bill ion things you can do to get more power and go faster but to do it and get better mpg's is the trick at least i hope that is why you are posting here

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by vanman2

Now you have me thinking ~~ i am impressed good job with a sweet ride ~~ i have a 1976 Dodge B200 van ( 3/4 ton ) 318 3spd auto it has headers dual exhaust edelbrock aluminum high rise manifold and edelbrock carb ( i know its a brick ) but but like you with your olds this is my baby i like to go camping and travel some plan on retiring and seeing the country ( i hope ) someday ~~ i have a Suzuki sidekick Js 4cyl 5spd with a hard top as my daily driver runs good , good on gas a no frills ride , also have a 2011 Suzuki Equator crew cab sport truck put a leer topper on it cuts down on the drag for when i need or want a truck , sweet truck and surprisingly good on gas 6cyl 5spd auto ~~ but my van is my favorite and am trying to think of ways to better fuel economy ~~ here goes i am open to all suggestions except to get rid of it ~~ all else will go the van stays

Take that van over to MOPARTS and, with pics plus ALL specs (including scale weight FF/RR as you intend to use it) ask that friendly and HIGHLY experienced bunch. FE is not just low-end torque, that is a beginner mistake.

There was also, in the past ten-twelve years, another van owner with LA engine doing some good miles on DodgeTalk or one of the other truck-related forums (using a customized ThermoQuad and a DualPort intake manifold).

.