The Ford Barn

jon laing · 10-23-2013, 07:54 AM

I just bought a 1939 ford with original 85 hp flathead in good shape. I am curious what kind of gas mileage she will give Jon Laing

Vic Piano · 10-23-2013, 07:56 AM

Our '39 CS gets around 18 to 21 mpg on the highway; I've never tried to figure out what she gets around town...

ken ct · 10-23-2013, 08:38 AM

Anywhere between 12 and 16 MPG. Depending on hard you are on the foot feed.LOL Early fords are not gas misers. ken ct omo

4dFord/SC · 10-23-2013, 09:01 AM

My '40 with Columbia and 4bbl carb averages 17 mpg. YMMV.

Wensum Valley Rods · 10-23-2013, 09:52 AM

My zephyr is running a french flathead (stock with 4"crank) with a single 94, original 37 zephyr box and 39 rear axle with 3.78 gears. It just completed it's maiden voyage of 750 miles and averaged 23 mpg (uk gallons) and sat at around 55-65 mph on the open road and whatever we could do around town.
I was more than happy with that.
Paul

keith oh · 10-23-2013, 09:56 AM

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Vic, I think that your,"Imagination is more important than knowledge", applies well to your gas mileage statement.

Vic Piano · 10-23-2013, 02:03 PM

Keith, I drive the '39CS on the highway all the time (and have for over twenty years), in fact, I'll be driving her to Dawsonville, Georgia tomorrow. On occasion, I have checked the gas millage (out of curiosity). The car actually has gotten that kind of millage in cooler weather.

Down here in Florida it does not do that well, more like 16 mpg.

However, gas consumption in a Flathead has never really concerned me, I measure smiles per mile, I find that much more satisfying.

BILL WZOREK · 10-24-2013, 02:32 AM

Part of the factor has to be if it will be real GAS or CORN GAS that you will be feeding her.

JM 35 Sedan · 10-24-2013, 03:55 AM

I'm checking my gas mileage now on a trip to Dawsonville, GA. Basically stock '35 fordor with 85 hp, 221ci, 21 stud engine. 3.78 rear gears, w/7.50-16 rear tires. Drove ~ 450 miles yesterday, mostly Interstate highways @ 55 to 65 mph. Averaging about 16 mpg. I think I could improve on the mpg with a good tuneup.

Kurt in NJ · 10-24-2013, 08:59 AM

I don't keep records of fuel mileage most times but have on some trips--
Model A, driving 55-65 has gotten 23mpg ---local driving stays around 20
46 tudor --18 mpg--local driving around 16
39 with 60hp -23-26 mpg(including 100+ mile runs at 55-70)
46 big truck with 2 speed rear,stock 49 Merc, 2 ton load---averaged 15 mpg on a 4 day run to California

--from the latest V8 times, the reprint of the Ford almanac--(1939)
As to economy, here is the record of a stock car 3 weeks out of a shop in Oklahoma--
On a run of 10.054 miles at the rate of 1000 miles a day--the Ford V8 gave 18.8 miles per gallon.

At 1000 miles a day I doubt they were driving only 45 mph

10-23-2013, 07:54 AM	#1
jon laing Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: DRUMMOND iSLAND, Mi. Posts: 247	gas mileage I just bought a 1939 ford with original 85 hp flathead in good shape. I am curious what kind of gas mileage she will give Jon Laing

10-23-2013, 07:56 AM	#2
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: gas mileage Our '39 CS gets around 18 to 21 mpg on the highway; I've never tried to figure out what she gets around town... __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

10-23-2013, 08:38 AM	#3
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: gas mileage Anywhere between 12 and 16 MPG. Depending on hard you are on the foot feed.LOL Early fords are not gas misers. ken ct omo

10-23-2013, 09:01 AM	#4
4dFord/SC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,579	Re: gas mileage My '40 with Columbia and 4bbl carb averages 17 mpg. YMMV.

10-23-2013, 09:52 AM	#5
Wensum Valley Rods Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 34	Re: gas mileage My zephyr is running a french flathead (stock with 4"crank) with a single 94, original 37 zephyr box and 39 rear axle with 3.78 gears. It just completed it's maiden voyage of 750 miles and averaged 23 mpg (uk gallons) and sat at around 55-65 mph on the open road and whatever we could do around town. I was more than happy with that. Paul __________________ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=720735

10-23-2013, 09:56 AM	#6
keith oh Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Millersport, central ohio Posts: 668	Re: gas mileage Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Vic, I think that your,"Imagination is more important than knowledge", applies well to your gas mileage statement.

10-23-2013, 02:03 PM	#7
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: gas mileage Keith, I drive the '39CS on the highway all the time (and have for over twenty years), in fact, I'll be driving her to Dawsonville, Georgia tomorrow. On occasion, I have checked the gas millage (out of curiosity). The car actually has gotten that kind of millage in cooler weather. Down here in Florida it does not do that well, more like 16 mpg. However, gas consumption in a Flathead has never really concerned me, I measure smiles per mile, I find that much more satisfying. __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

10-24-2013, 02:32 AM	#8
BILL WZOREK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florence Ma. Posts: 2,404	Re: gas mileage Part of the factor has to be if it will be real GAS or CORN GAS that you will be feeding her.

10-24-2013, 03:55 AM	#9
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: gas mileage I'm checking my gas mileage now on a trip to Dawsonville, GA. Basically stock '35 fordor with 85 hp, 221ci, 21 stud engine. 3.78 rear gears, w/7.50-16 rear tires. Drove ~ 450 miles yesterday, mostly Interstate highways @ 55 to 65 mph. Averaging about 16 mpg. I think I could improve on the mpg with a good tuneup. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

10-24-2013, 08:59 AM	#10
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: gas mileage I don't keep records of fuel mileage most times but have on some trips-- Model A, driving 55-65 has gotten 23mpg ---local driving stays around 20 46 tudor --18 mpg--local driving around 16 39 with 60hp -23-26 mpg(including 100+ mile runs at 55-70) 46 big truck with 2 speed rear,stock 49 Merc, 2 ton load---averaged 15 mpg on a 4 day run to California --from the latest V8 times, the reprint of the Ford almanac--(1939) As to economy, here is the record of a stock car 3 weeks out of a shop in Oklahoma-- On a run of 10.054 miles at the rate of 1000 miles a day--the Ford V8 gave 18.8 miles per gallon. At 1000 miles a day I doubt they were driving only 45 mph