The Ford Barn

ttoldcarbuff7 · 06-13-2011, 03:43 PM

Okay, I know gasoline was cheap in 30, but not now. What is anyone doing to eek out another few mpg's on the old four banger. I would like to tour this summer but the budget says "very short tour!" I am looking to hear what others have done. Carbs? manifolds? Heads? Water injectors

What say you.

48Ratfink · 06-13-2011, 04:18 PM

327??? J/k

Gerard · 06-13-2011, 04:22 PM

Let' go back to ww2 period

Gerard · 06-13-2011, 04:24 PM

Lets go back to the ww 2 period

Kevin in NJ · 06-13-2011, 04:28 PM

If your Model A is running to factory specs then you should expect 20 or more MPG.

If that is not what you are seeing then ask what is not operating to factory specs.

MrTube · 06-13-2011, 04:31 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Never thought I would see someone say they wanted to go back to WWII.....

Model A Man · 06-13-2011, 04:37 PM

I did a 120 mile trip and it was almost all freeway. I kept it at 50/55 with overdrive and I used 10 gallons of gas. So I guess that means I only got 12 miles per gallon. and my a is tuned really well. I do have a BF head. but I really think the bad fuel mileage has more to do with E fuel than anything else

Special Coupe Frank · 06-13-2011, 04:38 PM

I finally checked the mileage on my well-worn '28 ,and I am getting about 12-14 mpg, but that's combined city and "highway" driving, including a pretty hard run at WOT (50-55MPH) this past weekend.

You'll probably get your best MPG in the 30-40 MPH range....

Richard Wilson · 06-13-2011, 05:09 PM

Buy a Weber carb conversion. Several guys that I used to tour with had them and got almost double the mileage (25 to 30MPG ) that I get with my stock Model A's. On the other hand I can buy a lot of gas for the $500 price of the Weber carb.

John Stone · 06-13-2011, 05:10 PM

Just completed a run to the Kansas City regional meet with the 400A. Made right at 20 mpg for the 600 miles.

foxfire42 · 06-13-2011, 05:36 PM

Went on a 130 mile Club tour Saturday. It took 5 gal. I too am running with a Weber. Also a Mallory and 4 spd Bronco Tranny.

gweilbaker · 06-13-2011, 06:00 PM

Don't forget today's gas is a cocktail of alcohol and special bended chemicals dependent upon region to increase your consumption whilst jacking your wallet.

It ain't your Daddy's gas anymore sonny boy!

peters180a/170b · 06-13-2011, 06:13 PM

what you should do you ask??? Pray in the morning for a tailwind.

ken ct · 06-13-2011, 06:16 PM

Try 10 mpg on a 2000 F-150. Full tune up 2,000 mi ago.ken ct.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 06-13-2011, 06:19 PM

Higher compression generally helps efficiency too, ...especially with ethenol.

The payback on installing a $1500 overdrive transmission is a lotta $4.45 gallons of gas!!

.

CarlG · 06-13-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model A Man

I did a 120 mile trip and it was almost all freeway. I kept it at 50/55 with overdrive and I used 10 gallons of gas. So I guess that means I only got 12 miles per gallon. and my a is tuned really well. I do have a BF head. but I really think the bad fuel mileage has more to do with E fuel than anything else

I filled mine up with "real" gas (no ethanol), went 120 miles with a 2-hour parade in the middle of it, still shows 1/2 tank. Highway was 50mph, no overdrive, 5.5 Snyder head, Weber carb.

1931 flamingo · 06-13-2011, 07:38 PM

Where are you that gas is $4.45 gal?? Why won't people fill out the profile? At least what state you're in/ JMO
Paul in CT

Kevin in NJ · 06-13-2011, 09:12 PM

My brothers 31 coupe with a standard compression head, factory carb (original jets), and used B cam averaged in the low twenties on the trip to the world meet in 1986.

The car was run 55 to 65 MPH. No overdrive!

The mileage was calculated with mileage verified by the motorhome my father drove and checking odometer distances with the mile post signs.

Special Coupe Frank · 06-13-2011, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin in NJ

My brothers 31 coupe with a standard compression head, factory carb (original jets), and used B cam averaged in the low twenties on the trip to the world meet in 1986.

The car was run 55 to 65 MPH. No overdrive!

The mileage was calculated with mileage verified by the motorhome my father drove and checking odometer distances with the mile post signs.

I wonder how it would do on today's ethanated garbage ?

Kurt in NJ · 06-13-2011, 11:01 PM

Even with the ethanol (10%) I am still around 20 mpg, I don't count the MPG, I think of it as miles per $ and on the A I don't really worry, the last 20$ I put in --I think it was March --so far--a 42 mile round trip, 5 mile joyride, then work and back--10 miles, a parade-with a ride --5 miles and still more than 1/4 tank --it was empty( the gauge was at 0 and didn't move on bumps) like about to run out when I put in the 20 ---I blame my poor mileage on neglect, havn't done much more than adjust the points and shake the dirt out of the carb for many years.

For the parade it was about 80, I still have the March winter gas, and the ex man is cracked and puffing on the fuel bowl --yet still no vapor lock during the during the idle speed in 1st parade.

06-13-2011, 03:43 PM	#1
ttoldcarbuff7 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 27	$4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Okay, I know gasoline was cheap in 30, but not now. What is anyone doing to eek out another few mpg's on the old four banger. I would like to tour this summer but the budget says "very short tour!" I am looking to hear what others have done. Carbs? manifolds? Heads? Water injectors What say you.

06-13-2011, 04:18 PM	#2
48Ratfink Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Opelika,Al. Posts: 132	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! 327??? J/k

06-13-2011, 04:22 PM	#3
Gerard Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Creston Canada BC Posts: 609	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Let' go back to ww2 period Last edited by Gerard; 06-13-2011 at 04:22 PM. Reason: oops picture went wrong

06-13-2011, 04:24 PM	#4
Gerard Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Creston Canada BC Posts: 609	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Lets go back to the ww 2 period Last edited by Gerard; 12-18-2011 at 03:55 PM.

06-13-2011, 04:28 PM	#5
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! If your Model A is running to factory specs then you should expect 20 or more MPG. If that is not what you are seeing then ask what is not operating to factory specs.

06-13-2011, 04:31 PM	#6
MrTube Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,471	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Never thought I would see someone say they wanted to go back to WWII.....

06-13-2011, 04:37 PM	#7
Model A Man Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sarasota Florida Posts: 604	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! I did a 120 mile trip and it was almost all freeway. I kept it at 50/55 with overdrive and I used 10 gallons of gas. So I guess that means I only got 12 miles per gallon. and my a is tuned really well. I do have a BF head. but I really think the bad fuel mileage has more to do with E fuel than anything else

06-13-2011, 04:38 PM	#8
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! I finally checked the mileage on my well-worn '28 ,and I am getting about 12-14 mpg, but that's combined city and "highway" driving, including a pretty hard run at WOT (50-55MPH) this past weekend. You'll probably get your best MPG in the 30-40 MPH range....

06-13-2011, 05:09 PM	#9
Richard Wilson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NC Posts: 908	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Buy a Weber carb conversion. Several guys that I used to tour with had them and got almost double the mileage (25 to 30MPG ) that I get with my stock Model A's. On the other hand I can buy a lot of gas for the $500 price of the Weber carb.

06-13-2011, 05:10 PM	#10
John Stone Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 710	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Just completed a run to the Kansas City regional meet with the 400A. Made right at 20 mpg for the 600 miles.

06-13-2011, 05:36 PM	#11
foxfire42 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: AZ and WA Posts: 764	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Went on a 130 mile Club tour Saturday. It took 5 gal. I too am running with a Weber. Also a Mallory and 4 spd Bronco Tranny.

06-13-2011, 06:00 PM	#12
gweilbaker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lindenhurst, IL Posts: 792	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Don't forget today's gas is a cocktail of alcohol and special bended chemicals dependent upon region to increase your consumption whilst jacking your wallet. It ain't your Daddy's gas anymore sonny boy!

06-13-2011, 06:13 PM	#13
peters180a/170b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Putnam Valley N.Y. Posts: 2,151	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! what you should do you ask??? Pray in the morning for a tailwind.

06-13-2011, 06:16 PM	#14
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Try 10 mpg on a 2000 F-150. Full tune up 2,000 mi ago.ken ct.

06-13-2011, 06:19 PM	#15
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,513	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Higher compression generally helps efficiency too, ...especially with ethenol. The payback on installing a $1500 overdrive transmission is a lotta $4.45 gallons of gas!! . __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

06-13-2011, 07:38 PM	#17
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Where are you that gas is $4.45 gal?? Why won't people fill out the profile? At least what state you're in/ JMO Paul in CT

06-13-2011, 09:12 PM	#18
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! My brothers 31 coupe with a standard compression head, factory carb (original jets), and used B cam averaged in the low twenties on the trip to the world meet in 1986. The car was run 55 to 65 MPH. No overdrive! The mileage was calculated with mileage verified by the motorhome my father drove and checking odometer distances with the mile post signs.

06-13-2011, 11:01 PM	#20
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: $4.45 and 14 mpg Argh!! Even with the ethanol (10%) I am still around 20 mpg, I don't count the MPG, I think of it as miles per $ and on the A I don't really worry, the last 20$ I put in --I think it was March --so far--a 42 mile round trip, 5 mile joyride, then work and back--10 miles, a parade-with a ride --5 miles and still more than 1/4 tank --it was empty( the gauge was at 0 and didn't move on bumps) like about to run out when I put in the 20 ---I blame my poor mileage on neglect, havn't done much more than adjust the points and shake the dirt out of the carb for many years. For the parade it was about 80, I still have the March winter gas, and the ex man is cracked and puffing on the fuel bowl --yet still no vapor lock during the during the idle speed in 1st parade.