Should I add "Sherman" to the name?

[Marc F.]

Long story short...

After fixing a fuel pump, water pump and oil change I lost 3 mpg.

I found that I had broken a small vacuum fitting. Mileage back!

I got happy with the wrench and removed the clutch fan.

With moderate driving and minus the fan, I went from 16.24 to 23.87 mpg

Not bad for a 5 liter, auto, 2 ton, 30 year old car called "Tank".

[mja1]

Nice! Is this the 307? GM made a 2.14 gear in the mid 80's you could hunt craigslist or the junkyard for a real mpg score. But then it'd be reeeally slow. Is this a th200, th350, or 4 speed? T5 or NV3500 swap would also score some real mpg points. Good to hear these boats are still on the road

...if its th350, people will probably pay you to take an old 200c off their hands (couple extra mpgs).

[Marc F.]

Its the 307 with the 200-4r ratio is stock 3.23. With the hills I have (back woods Missouri) a 2.14 would be ... interesting, and yes reeeally slow, LOL! Right now the TC will lock up at 50 to 53 mph.

I would like to find a T5 but I also need a BOP pattern housing. Yes that though has crossed my mind too.

[mja1]

McLeod Racing - Bellhousings

520$ is pricey, could weld one up very nicely for that price, 2004r will do the job though. T5 would be a great swap, an s10 nv3500 would be a good fit for the cruiser too. NV3500 uses a wider gear spread than T5's, but overdrive is .73 vs .67 current or .68 T5. NV3500 would probably net better mpg, but only with a higher rear. The wider gear spread will help you get going quicker at extremely low rpms (less than 1000-1300rpm). NV3500 + 2.56 would be nuts. Would see high 20's regularly.

on the extreme side of things, I'd put money on 30mpg with a NV + 2.14 and flat ground if the 307's in good shape.

[MetroMPG]

Nice wrench work. Any plans to aim it (the wrench) at the roof rack and deflector over the rear window?

[Marc F.]

Oh yeah, I pulled the roof rack/deflector when I took the fan out. Sorry forgot to mention that. It still has the small front to back rails. I'm keeping my eyes open for the mirrors at Autozone that other people have mounted inside.

If I get the same results this week I will install an electric fan, yes I am watching my temp carefully but I dont stop from here to work but twice. Timing those lights I stay rolling/cooling.

I'm learning about aero tricks now, I think I may be fabricating a Kammback. It and some front end mods that I am hestiatant to do without any fan at all. Flat hub caps and a little lowering and I hope to get 25+ mpg consistantly. Thats my goal anyway, I think its realistic,
even if it has the aero of a brick right now!

I keep looking for something else that starts out getting better mileage but right now the funds are not looking good. After June that money starts looking better. Odd you should reply there are 2 Metros on CL I kinda glanced at this morning.

[Tango Charlie]

I just sold my '94 Roadmaster Estate Wagon. That LT-1 was way too thirsty for my budget! I called it "The Bomber" because the dang thing was as long as B-29! The wife will miss it, but I'm thankful it's gone. If I had unlimited time and patience, it would've been fun to see what a kammback, belly tray, and wheel discs could've done for it. Have fun with your Sherman!