I haven't checked my mileage since swapping from the Edelbrock to the Holley and swapping from points to an electronic, inductive ignition system.

I just made a 98.1 mile round trip on the highway. I got 16.87mpg doing between 70 and 80 mph, with overdrive. The last time I checked, with the Edelbrock and points, I got about 14.5.

The Y has plenty of passing power, even in fifth. Oh, the future will be exciting

It sounds happiest above 2000rpm. 70 is about 1800. I'm going to look for a 4.11 to swap and I think it will be where it needs to be.


Lawrenceville, GA

The mileage gain is great Charlie, and the latest figure very good for a performance engine.  Your future increase in cruising rpm may bump it up a little more.

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

I'm hoping that the gear change and fuel injection will get it over 20.

I wish I knew just how much each of those two changes affected it. As it is, the result is about 40 more miles per tank, which means I save about $7.00 per tank and I have a range of about 260 miles. City mileage seems to be about the same as it was. I'm happy. It puts it on par with "modern" stuff.


Lawrenceville, GA

Yes 20 is my target too.  The last check was 18.7 at 67 steady mph for about 150 miles.  RPM at that speed is close to 2400.  With a new Petronix II and coil, plus some 100% gas rather than E10, maybe I can get there.  Hope you do too.   Oh, the reason for the odd number 67 is that with 60 showing on my speedo, it is actually 67. 

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

Charlie, have you or are you using the black secondary spring as opposed to the silver to see if there is a difference in miliage?

-Gary Burnette-

I did change springs, following the tuning procedure outlined in the owners manual. I don't know which I have in it right now.


Lawrenceville, GA

Charlie, sorry if I missed something but did you go to a holley throttle body fuel injection? If so what was the cost of the system? In street rodder, awhile back they put a throttle body injection system on a 52 chebby smallblock in the middle of a road tour. They had impressive mileage gains, and smooth acceleration.





thanks, Mark

I have a 56 automatic 312 T-Bird with cruise control and drive it mostly on the highway. I would like to get the best possible mileage on regular gas. I do not mind spending some money but definitely do not want to buy something then find a better alternative.

I am planning on a 4 speed automatic this summer. Any suggestions as to which one etc.? I assume one object would be to produce lots of power at a low RPM so one could use a more economical gear ratio. I am sure there are other things the in the area of fuel delivery, ignition, cam, headers etc.? All help appreciated.



Fred

Fred:

My question is, how much money are you willing to spend to save a few bucks a year on gas?  I'm not trying to talk you out of changing your car to your tastes, but if you don't drive your Bird any more than I drive mine, fuel mileage really does not matter.  The easiest way to get better driveability and mileage is to get rid of that all vacuum distributor system, but there again, if you want to keep your original tach your option for a stock distributor is a '57 T-Bird one, and the prices for those are outrageous. 

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John

Well I am willing to spend more than the average, probably more than most. I am already using a 57 distributor, a small Edelbrock carb and a 3.10 rear end and have sent the tachometer away for conversion to electric. So recommend away.

Fred