'40 V-8 Mileage

[mike42]

I drove 4 or 5 flathead cars back in late 50's and early '60's. I don't really remember what the gas mileage was. I don't remember having to fill up a lot or the mileage, but gas was only 20¢ a gallon back then too.

I'm getting 11.3 MPG on my '40 now and was just wondering what is an average rate you guys are getting.

Thx.....Mike

[HDowse]

My '40 Fordor, stock everything, with a 4.11 rear end gets between 15 and 18 depending on how fast I drive. Back roads, 40 mph gets the higher mileage while anything 50-55 is pushing the rpms and mileage. I'm thinking of changing out the 4.11 for either the stock 3.78 or a 3.54 to reduce rpms. Do you know the gear ratio of your car?

[JSeery]

I always find the comparison of gas prices in the 50s & 60s time frame to days prices interesting. You often hear the complaint about the high price of fuel in the U.S. But if you compare it to other factors in our lives the cost to fill up our cars hasn't really changed much at all. Based on some numbers I found online here are some examples of average prices (of course this are broad estimates).

1950 income $3,216 & current income $59,000 (18.4 times increase).
1950 Ford prices $1339 - $2262 & current price ~$33,550 (16.8 times increase).
1950 Gas price $.20 & current prices ~$3.00 per gallon (15 times increase).
1950 Bread price $.14 & current prices ~$2.40 (17.1 times increase).
1950 Postage stamp $.03 & current postage $.49 (16 times increase).

So gas prices are in line with other living cost. Now if you consider the change in mileage and maintenance frequency vehicle operating cost are way lower today than in the past.

[Kurt in NJ]

39 with 60hp---- under 50, 28 mpg, 50-60 23 mpg, over 70, 18 mpg----- downshifting to 2nd at 40 on hills

46 Tudor, didn't keep by speed, averaged 15-18, worn out car, high miles

46 1-1/2 ton truck, 49 merc engine, 2speed rear, averaged 15 mpg on coast to coast trip with 2 ton load--- did trip in 4 days, slower driving(50 mph) best was18 mpg

[tubman]

I get about 14 mpg with my '51 club coupe with the '51 Merc engine with a 2GC and Mallory dual point. This is mainly short trip, around town driving. I did make one highway trip where I got 19 mpg. This is in a car with 3.55 gears and no overdrive running 65-70.

[1931 flamingo]

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mike42: That's about what I get in my Chrysler 300 HEMI , around town.
Paul in CT

[deuce_roadster]

Kurt, over 70 with a V8 60? Do you have a set of rare Ardun heads? How long was that down hill? One of my best friends had a 37 tudor V8 60 that would go faster in 2nd gear then 3rd on flat ground.

[RalphG]

I was surprised to get around 15 miles per gallon on the 52 Merc on a partial gravel road trip last year. Not a long trip but according to my measuring that is what it did. Not overdirve either. Just the power robbing, gas guzzling mercomatic. Canadian gallons are a bit bigger than yours so it would be less on U.S. gallons.

[ford38v8]

I've kept running logs on occasion, with the intent of figuring mileage, but always seem to screw it up by forgetting that driving habits count big time, so I never do get around to doing the math. The few times that I did follow through, I figured around 13 - 15 mpg and shrugged my shoulders. I always wonder about reports of 20+ mpg. Who really drives like that, anyway?

[mike42]

Wow...what a range of mph ! I really don't know what my rear axle is. What was stock for the day ? 4:11 ?

I drive around 55 mph and that's about it. A few years ago I had it up to 80 mph, but that was before I put on the Coker Radials. I didn't really feel comfortable with the regular bias ply tires on it.

Thx all.....Mike

I think you all have answered my question, but getting

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by mike42

Wow...what a range of mph ! I really don't know what my rear axle is. What was stock for the day ? 4:11 ?

You should be able to read the numbers stamped into the bottom of the flange on the center section. That would be the original axle ratio if the gears have not been changed. Like frame serial numbers, they can sometimes be very hard to read.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

Kurt, over 70 with a V8 60? Do you have a set of rare Ardun heads? How long was that down hill? One of my best friends had a 37 tudor V8 60 that would go faster in 2nd gear then 3rd on flat ground.

Hilarious but oh so true.
I've had a couple of 60HP '40 Fords. They could hardly get out of their own way. 70mph? That must have been one long and steep hill.