Any ideas on how to accurately measure mpg’s on an older car with a carburetor?
 

So I couldn’t find any recent posts on this topic so I thought I would ask – does anyone know of an accurate means to measure fuel flow? I can’t use any of the modern Scangauges as I have a ’66 with a carburetor and an analog tach. I have been making a lot of mods and I just don’t think the pump gauge is cutting it unless I take a real long drive and get the same pump. The less expensive boat fuel meters seem to be discontinued and I can’t justify buying on of the $400 versions. Thanks for your help!

You might find an old zemco unit. We have discussed inexpensive flow meters here and how to monitor them and report mpg but nothing solid. There are too many fuel injected cars to make it a priority IMHO, and converting to fuel injection can probably be done for less than $400 with some boneyard parts, and would provide better economy/control/monitoring.

Have a look at fuel flow meters for marine engines ($$$, though, such as FLOSCAN). The trio of driver gauges would be:

Fuel Flow
Vacuum
RPM

Additional would be:

Airspeed


Depending on the car there are (or were) spark timing adjustment boxes (MSD, and others) where one can advance or retard ignition timing. With the above gauges (and maybe a knock sensor) can can "lean out" the engine for best cruise parameters.

Some of the "feedback carbs" worked in a similar manner.

What kind of car is it?

EDIT: I see you are aware of marine fuel flow meters.

.

I had a scangauge TYPE of product back in 1979 that I ran on my 1966 1bbl carb 200ci Mustang.
I think i alsoways had to tell it how many gallons I put in.
It worked great.
I used to get 27mpg on the road.

You can calculate mileage with pencil & paper, or a simple calculator. An electronic gadget isn't really necessary.

My very first car, given to me by a wealthy cousin when I was in college, was a jalopy, and a real 'land yacht': A 1963 Caddy convertible. It even had tail fins and real chrome everywhere in it (which was totally out of date by the time I got it.) :cool:

Sure, it was a gas guzzler - but what wasn't back then? - except maybe a VW?

It sure was fun to drive though: No pollution controls. No seat belts. Kettering ignition points. Rotted exhaust system. Distressed paint. Bald tires. Leaking radiator. But the leather seats, the radio and the convertible top all worked great until its dying day, despite it being on its last legs. Fond memories... gas only cost about 69 cents per gallon then.

As far as instant/current information goes (extremely valuable when dialing in various techniques and mods), aside from the zemco unit, there was one case where someone sourced a flow meter and hooked it up to a bike computer (fuel consumed is measured as a "distance). Now you can do a lot better than a bike computer, i.e. arduino or mpguino for a starting point, but you get the idea.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...html#post12516

:eek:REALLY!!!!!!!

:eek:
:eek:
:eek:
:eek:
:eek:
:eek:

:eek:

And you think I'm soooooooo stupid that I don't know this!:rolleyes:

Please, help me (help you) .......explain the purpose of that sentence attached to my quote.

ps. and a car isn't neccessary either......WALK!!!!!
(oh gee that almost sounds as stupid as your pencil/paper comment.....:cool:)

Wow! You certainly do read into things, taking great offense at a simple observation. Go back and read it again. Nothing offensive was intended, stated or implied.

Maybe calling yourself "stupid" is appropriate after making such an emotional spectacle of yourself with your incredibly HOSTILE reply.

No, maybe YOU need to reread your passive/agressive post.

The op wants to know about " xxxx"
not about "yyyyyyy"

you decide to quote MY post and say that "geee you don't need "XXXX" silly boy, just do "yyyyyy".

Maybe, you are 'tonedeaf' and don't 'hear' what you are saying anf how you are saying it.


So you:
1. quote me and not the op. WRONG
2. Offer up a non solution. not related to the op's request. WRONG
3. Don't get it. WRONG
4. Come back with passive/aggressive. "gee why are you picking on me????" WRONG

conclusion: Your incredibaly out of touch, clueless, tonedeaf or stupid.

Guys: you need to calm down, seriously.

Keep the personal attacks / insults off the forum, please.

KEEP IT CIVIL or take it elsewhere. Just drop it.