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Old 09-28-2021, 05:35 PM   #1
nkaminar
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Default My Mileage

I have been keeping records of the amount of gasoline I use over the last 2,267 miles, from January of this year until today. I have a 4 door sedan, 1930. The engine has a two barrel Weber carburetor, high compression head (I think 5.5 to 1), a GAZ cam, and larger intake valves.

The average mileage over this time is 17.32 mpg. The best mileage, 20.28 mpg, was a 157 mile trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway where the speed limit is 45. I was surprised by this as there are lots of ups and downs. The worse mileage was 14.14 mpg, which included up a long grade, 8%, on highway 421 from Wilkesboro to Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

Forgot to mention that I have the Mitchell overdrive.
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Last edited by nkaminar; 09-29-2021 at 04:26 AM. Reason: Added note about overdrive
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Old 09-28-2021, 06:59 PM   #2
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Default Re: My Mileage

IMO 17+ mpg is very good for the heavier body Fordor, my stock Tudor averages about 16 in the city, once got 22mpg with help from the wind. I've got a friend who claims he has to pull over a few times and drain the excess gas built-up because of his excellent gas mileage!
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Old 09-28-2021, 07:11 PM   #3
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I've got a friend who claims he has to pull over a few times and drain the excess gas built-up because of his excellent gas mileage!
I thought I was losing it because at times I have to do the same thing! Good to know I am not alone.
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Old 09-28-2021, 07:12 PM   #4
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Default Re: My Mileage

Might you have contact information for that friend?
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Old 09-28-2021, 08:02 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by nkaminar View Post
I have been keeping records of the amount of gasoline I use over the last 2,267 miles, from January of this year until today. I have a 4 door sedan, 1930. The engine has a two barrel Weber carburetor, high compression head (I think 5.5 to 1), a GAZ cam, and larger intake valves.

The average mileage over this time is 17.32 mpg. The best mileage, 20.28 mpg, was a 157 mile trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway where the speed limit is 45. I was surprised by this as there are lots of ups and downs. The worse mileage was 14.14 mpg, which included up a long grade, 8%, on highway 421 from Wilkesboro to Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

Cool car, Nkam. Awesome trip. I'm shooting for the Natches Trace Parkway.
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Old 09-28-2021, 11:12 PM   #6
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I have topped 30 mpg in my tourer but that is a proper Imperial gallon. That converts to 24 miles to one of your gallons and most A owners expect 26-28 mpg on a run. That is 20.8 - 22.4 per US gallon.
The fuel consumption is very dependent on wind, speed and the terrain. I get about 19 when towing (15.2) a trailer that weighs about the same as the loaded car at 50 mph.
I do not use ethanol fuel.
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Old 09-28-2021, 11:46 PM   #7
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Default Re: My Mileage

On longer tours, my 1930 Town Sedan, with the 5.5 HC head and Mitchell OD, has gotten about 22 mpg, cruising at mostly 60 mph. But driving stop and go in town it drops to about 15 mpg.
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Old 09-29-2021, 08:48 AM   #8
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Default Re: My Mileage

I recently drove my Victoria from Long Island to Newry, Maine and back. My Victoria does not have overdrive, and it has an OEM 3.78:1 differential. The head has a 5.5:1 compression ratio, and the carburetor is a stock Zenith. My average gas mileage during this 976 mile trip was 17 GPM. About half of the miles driven were on interstate highways cruising at 50 to 55 MPH. Highest speed was 63 MPH. Tire pressure was 30 PSIG. Gasoline was 87 Octane. Motor oil is Mobil 1.
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Old 09-29-2021, 08:56 AM   #9
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Default Re: My Mileage

Long term MPG vs trip MPG are different things. The OP MPG is very good. I have a stock 29 Fordor and average 15. Where I drive I pretty much have the road to myself so I cruise around 45 to 50 MPH.
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Old 09-29-2021, 11:56 AM   #10
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I recently drove my Victoria from Long Island to Newry, Maine and back. My Victoria does not have overdrive, and it has an OEM 3.78:1 differential. The head has a 5.5:1 compression ratio, and the carburetor is a stock Zenith. My average gas mileage during this 976 mile trip was 17 GPM. About half of the miles driven were on interstate highways cruising at 50 to 55 MPH. Highest speed was 63 MPH. Tire pressure was 30 PSIG. Gasoline was 87 Octane. Motor oil is Mobil 1.
Your a brave man driving 50-55 mph on the interstate, around here you would be like a bug on truck radiator!
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Old 09-29-2021, 04:27 PM   #11
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I have been driving the interstates as far south as North Carolina, as far north as Maine, as far west as Pennsylvania and as far east as Cape Cod. Not once can I remember being harassed by trucks and cars. I find drivers become impatient on the 2-lane roads, so I occasionally pull over to let the modern traffic pass.
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Old 09-29-2021, 04:41 PM   #12
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Default Re: My Mileage

I don’t care what my mpg is. I don’t own or drive a Model A to save money.
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Old 09-29-2021, 05:13 PM   #13
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Default Re: My Mileage

17.5 mpg, average speed of 40mph.

Last edited by Aretino; 10-15-2021 at 06:01 PM.
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Old 10-02-2021, 12:19 AM   #14
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i don’t care what my mpg is. I don’t own or drive a model a to save money.
ditto
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Old 10-02-2021, 05:21 AM   #15
nkaminar
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Default Re: My Mileage

I don't drive my Model A to save money either. In my case, figuring the mileage was a question of curiosity, trying to learn more about my car.
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A is for apple, green as the sky.
Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die.
Forget the brakes, they really don't work.
The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk.
My car grows red hair, and flies through the air.
Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.
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Old 10-02-2021, 06:20 AM   #16
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Default Re: My Mileage

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I don’t care what my mpg is. I don’t own or drive a Model A to save money.
I agree for sure !
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Old 10-02-2021, 08:42 AM   #17
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Default Re: My Mileage

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I don't drive my Model A to save money either. In my case, figuring the mileage was a question of curiosity, trying to learn more about my car.
I check(ed) my mileage mainly to get an idea of how far I can go on a tank (or a gallon) of gas while on a tour.
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Last edited by Ruth; 10-15-2021 at 10:38 AM.
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Old 10-02-2021, 04:02 PM   #18
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I don’t care what my mpg is. I don’t own or drive a Model A to save money.
I keep an occasional eye on ALL my vehicle's MPG. Its often an early indicator of upcoming issues.
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Old 10-15-2021, 10:25 AM   #19
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Default Re: My Mileage

I am the same as Eagle-monitoring your gas mileage gives you a feel for how your engine is performing, as well as the car overall.
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Old 10-15-2021, 02:21 PM   #20
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Default Re: My Mileage

I’ve had my 1932 Victoria for a little over 2 years, and I’ve driven it a little over 7500 miles. So far I’m averaging 19.2 MPG, but I’d still get a kick out driving it if it was only 10 MPG.


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