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Y-block Gas Mileage

Posted By 55blacktie 4 Years Ago
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55blacktie
Posted 4 Years Ago
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There is a recent post on one of the Thunderbird forums, regarding the gas mileage of 55-57 Thunderbirds with 292-312 Y-block engines. Some owners reported 7-10 mpg, others getting 9-12, another getting between 13-14, and another claimed 20 mpg on the highway, in overdrive. Having inherited my 55 T-bird, I drove it just a couple of times before beginning restoration, so I have no idea what kind of gas mileage I should expect. 7-13 mpg is nothing to brag about. Are these numbers typical? They are awfully low for a small v8 in a 3,000-lb. car. Is there an explanation, other than the given examples are parade cars that are seldom driven on the highway? 
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charliemccraney
Posted 4 Years Ago
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For what it's worth, mine averaged a little over 16 on the highway the last time I checked.  In the mountains, it was around 12 and on flatter hwy, around 20.  I think it can do better than that because the gearing is not right.  It's mostly in the range of 1800rpm to 2000rpm while keeping up with traffic and while the engine seems to do fine, it sounds happier above 2000rpm and the way it's built, probably should be above 2000rpm.  I've never checked city mileage but for the typical mileage I put on it in a week (Atlanta Suburbs) and the amount of gas it takes to top off, that is around 15mpg, which is about the same as my '88 Firebird, which is fuel injected, roller cammed and should be a little over half the power (stock), for perspective.  The Firebird does get about 28 on the hwy, though.

A T-Bird should be more aerodynamic than my truck, so I think 20s on the highway and teens or better city is possible in good all around tune and setup.  Note that this probably doesn't mean stock.

If at all possible, install an oxygen sensor and tune the carburetor with that.  If you want the interior to look stock,. figure out a temporary means of installing the gauge and remove it when tuning is done.  This takes a lot of the guess work out and provides a lot more info at one time than reading plugs because you can see what's going on at idle, at cruise, under load going up a hill, during acceleration, etc, all in one drive and don't have to deal with pulling hot plugs on the side of a busy road to see how it is doing.  Some of the fancier 02 setups can data log so you can record the data on your laptop and take a look at it later.


Lawrenceville, GA

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Forum Post Y-block Gas Mileage By 55blacktie ( 4 Years Ago )
Forum Post There are lies, damned lies, and fuel mileage claims, er Statistics.... By Tedster ( 4 Years Ago )
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Forum Post What has really surprised me, with any carbureted engine if it isn't... By Tedster ( 4 Years Ago )
Forum Post I don't think my dad drove my 55 far enough/often enough to calculate... By 55blacktie ( 4 Years Ago )
Forum Post [quote][b]55blacktie (6/1/2021)[/b][hr] Upon learning that the 57... By Tedster ( 4 Years Ago )
Forum Post For what it's worth, mine averaged a little over 16 on the highway the... By charliemccraney ( 4 Years Ago )
Forum Post I'll have an O2 bung installed in the Sanderson reducer during... By 55blacktie ( 4 Years Ago )
Forum Post Several years ago I drove my '57 (312 and overdrive) between LA and... By Joe 5bird7 ( 4 Years Ago )
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Forum Post [quote]Let us not forget gas was 20 cents a gallon back then[/quote]... By KULTULZ ( 4 Years Ago )
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