crappy gas milage: help me figure why

[CobraSix]

Very true...tuning by ear is good in a pinch...but you have to know what your engine sounds like tuned up before you can really do it by ear.

Slade

 

[Anonymous]

ja!

Just ask me how I know this one?! :roll:

Seriously, if you know you mechanical limitations than it maybe best to take it in and have them tune up your car at least to factory specifications. Then...you can rotate your dizzy cap all you want!


-Chris

 

[addo]

You can train your ear to know what the RPM sound like on a particular type of motor, but you need a timing light to begin with! Even then, it's a bit of a knack more suited to people with a sympathy for relative pitch.

 

[CobraSix]

I can do RPM on my 6, and can get timing pretty close, but only if really needed. That's basically because I check my tuning every week or so, so I've got very use to how the engine sounds. Though, I am having to relearn the Aussie head set up. What I thought was idling at 600 was actually closer to 900. Between the new head and exhaust, it takes some time to relearn.

Slade

 

[Anonymous]

My MPG experiments with my Fairmont wagon (anything but light) so far have been good. Some of these don't apply to the 'stang, but here's what I've done to get from 12-14 MPG to 17-20MPG (town-hiway):

1. Raised compression to 9.2:1, used steel head gasket for good quench. If I get it apart again, I'm going to mill the block for even tighter quench.
2. Already have DuraSpark II: found that Autolite Platinum plugs work best - forget SplitFire for gas mileage.
3. Oil = 10w40, run 1 can STP in hot weather.
4. Radiator fan now has a clutch.
5. Timing is 3 degrees more than stock: 11 degrees at 550 RPM.
6. Idle speed: 550 RPM - very important, because you idle more than you think you do, and it's ALL wasted MPG.
7. New catalytic converter.
8. Air adjustment screw in carb is set 1/8 turn in further than the smooth spot - it's slightly rougher and leaner, but saves gas.

 

[Anonymous]

dont even get me started on my mileage increases....it has nothing to do with changing engine parts and everything to do with getting a better burn and a cleaner engine....and believe me i can honestly say i have doubled (or close enough to look like it on the gas gauge) my mileage from 12-15 MPG to 25-30 MPG...still i might do a few things that MarkP has done to try to further increase my gas mileage...but as it is i am quite happy...

 

[Lazy JW]

funny but the mechanic will do the same thing for me without the math...he gives me one number...price

just being a wiseass but that is wayyyy over my shadetree head....

I just learned how to turn the distributor...

thanks fo rthe help though.. I MIGHT try these things sometime...I am actually afraid....

chaz

Hey Chaz,
Hang in there, you will figure it out yet. It's the guys that already know everthing that we can't help. What distributor do you have? Is it the original? What type of advance mechanism does it have? When you get a timing light we can walk you through the checkout, it really isn't that difficult and you will find that it can be fun 8)
Joe