Friendly Wager: 60 mpg 95 Mercury Tracer

[M_a_t_t]

The car is actually my commuter until I fix my van. The mercury is on winter beater duty until further notice.

I did pull about half the interior out this weekend and found a hole in the trunk. I also found where the tank is leaking and why the speedometer doesn't work. If I can get both of those fixed I can install my mpguino from the van. Once I weigh the parts I will post the details as well.

[deluxx]

Great challenge! You should have agreed to neutral coasting even with engine on! It seems like a mighty challenge my friend! maybe you can barter with 0.9gallons on the downhill side? Test with GPS and act a fool. add a massive cardboard/ducttape Aero shell past the back windows, per the template, add an aero nose similar to Aero Civic , remove all seats, doors and extra weight and replace with cardboard, Inflate the tires to 80psi, remove the back brakes except the hand brake, experiment with cylinder deactivation and get a MPGuino asap.

[Frank Lee]

No cylinder deactivation. Don't go there without valve deactivation or else IT'S A FAIL.

WHY remove back brakes?

[M_a_t_t]

I had to buy a scale, so hopefully it is accurate, but -100 lbs from the spare and interior parts (including back seat). Also working on a boat tail, but ran out of time. Probably won't be able to finish it until next weekend.

[Xist]

Progress pictures?

[M_a_t_t]

I think it could be better. Given the amount of planning though I think it is turning out pretty good.

[M_a_t_t]

So it snowed in Indiana today. A little early if you ask me. Anyway I had to rush to get it put together enough to drive it to work. I finished the upper half and left the lower sides open. I would say its closest to a large kammback rather than a full boat tail. I did take the trunk and taillights out so its still open in the back. Some water sprayed up and came inside the trunk area (had some bare steel and there is now dots of rust). I could definitely tell it was there, a lot better coasting. Also very different handling in cross winds.

Doing some research I think I might have lean burn, (https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...urn-10941.html) When driving on the highway I notice that after cruising if I give it more gas it has no power then all of a sudden it comes back. I felt it a little before the "boat tail". Now with it, it's very obvious.

Is that how lean burn feels in other cars?

[ennored]

Yes, you have lean burn.

From a random site on the internet:

"The EPA required Ethyl to conduct significant further testing surrounding their concerns with the Escorts, which Ethyl did. (Looking forward in time to 8 June 1998, we learn that the EPA reprimanded Ford over emission problems with 1991-1995 Escorts, noting that Ford had failed to report changes it made to 1991-1995 model year Escorts to improve fuel efficiency. The EPA alleged that Ford used an inappropriate-managed fuel-air “enleanment” strategy that caused an increase in smog-producing emissions. Ford was required to purchase and permanently retire 2,500 tons of NOx credits as part of the settlement package making up the consent order."

It was called "MFA mode" inside Ford. This quote agrees with my memory, managed fuel-air being MFA of course.

Is it easy to take the tail off? Did you go do a trial run, see how much better you need to get? I could get 40 MPG on the highway (at 70) with my old manual wagon. Would have done better at 55, but probably not 60 MPG....

[M_a_t_t]

14 bolts hold it on. I used the pigtails from the brake lights so the lights can just be unplugged as well. However, I would have to wire the brake lights back in (I cut the plug off the housing) also the trunk might be a pain. I think it would be fine without the tension rods though.

I can't actually check my mpg right now. The speedo/odo doesn't work and I can't fill the tank up. I have a mpguino I want to put in, but I can't calibrate the fuel because of the tank. I have plans to fix both (hopefully) this weekend though.

[M_a_t_t]

I didn't fix the speedo, or the tank. I spent the weekend fixing the front brakes. They were dragging and getting worse. Holy cow! It was worse than I thought. It feels like its gliding down the road now.

I changed the pads and while servicing the caliper I couldn't push the piston back in because of the hose collapsing. It was terrible. I also did some productive (but not mpg adding) activities. Like cleaning the garage.

I also got a deep cycle battery, roughly 88 Ah. If I have time I will wire it up this week and do the tank and speedo next weekend.

Battery: https://www.autozone.com/miscellaneo...tery/95824_0_0

Edit: It says 65 ah, but based on the reserve capacity I get 88. Based on other 29 series batteries its higher than 65. A lot closer to the 88 I got.