How much better MPG with Weber 32-36

[Anonymous]

Either there is something really wrong with my 69 Falcon or my 70 1/2 Falcon was special. They are almost identical except the 69 is a wagon, and the gas milage on this thing has been disappointing to put it mildly. It has gotten a cosistent 12 MPG as long as I've had it. I blamed it on the low rear end gear ratio, but reseaching on this web site I saw that a 200 six with c-4 and 3.25 gears is common. Taller tires and a glass pack improved the milage up to 15 MPG. My 70 Falcon got 21 to 23 MPG. The engine was replaced in that car with a used 250 and I never did check to see what rear it had because I never had a reason to. I'm ready to do the weber upgrade but I'm wondering about the cost to benifit ratio. How much improvement can I expect? I don't plan to do headers, but if a glass pack gave me 3 mpg, how much better would headers be? The Weber web site says if you upgade to free flowing exhaust, you would really need the 38 - 38 carb and won't really help the gas milage. I know I should replace my distributor for better MPG and probably will, but not with a Duraspark if I have to change the oil pump. I read somewhere that the shafts were not the same size. I bought this car expecting better gas mileage. It will probably get demoted from daily driver to back up spare when I get my V8 powerd panel truck on the road, I got an overdrive automatic for that one. I hate to spend a lot of money trying to milk a few more miles out of a tank of gas, but I can't see me triying to sell it as an "economy" car either. Is it just because the 200 six is too underpowered for a car that big? I thought about putting a AOD in the Falcon, but several posts said the engine wasn't strong enough to use the AOD. I had a Full Size 65 Mercury wagon back in the 70's with a 390 in it that got 21 MPG. Maybe I should just drop a 390 in it. I have one and would be cheaper than Weber / Headers / ignition swap. OK you six cylinder fanatics, talk me into keeping the six. What is best gas mileage I can realisticly expect? ( I really don't want to swap engines )

 

[ochretoe]

I did the weber swap about 6 months ago. At the same time I also ugraded to a Duraspark II. I saw a small, at best, improvement. My 200 is in a 74 bronco so I will never get 20 plus MPG but I'm trying. Around town I am only seeing about 1MPG better than I had befor the swap. Once I get a rebuilt head and headers I'm hoping for a little more. I may rebuild my old 1V carb and put it back on and see if its any better. I know it idled and decelerated smoother befor the swap but the acceleration is much better after the swap. Its a hunting truck ans I live at work so MPG's is not the end all for me, but when I need the extra umph, I really need it so I will probably not go back to the 1V for long, just to chek mileage. As far as talking you into keeping the 6 banger, Drive what makes you happy. If its a V8, swap it and have fun. Best of luck.
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I was hoping for a more glowing report. This engine was rebuilt by the guy I bought it from in his back yard and just to sell it and make some money. It has never idled as well I think it should ( two cylinders slightly low) and I have lifter noise that comes and goes. I've put about 18K on it and changed the oil when it should have been. I don't care 4, 6, 8, V or straight, If the car does what I want and need I don't care which. I can just get more bang from less money( as I already have a good engine and trans). I'll see if anyone else gets in on this post. Thanks for the input. I should see if the guy I sold my 70 1/2 to still has it. 45 miles each way to work at 70+ MPH / 24 MPG. The "twin" 71 Torino with 302 got 18 - 20 MPG. Who knows? I should have kept my 4 cyl 79 Mustang and put a big electric motor in it! Thanks again

 

[66 Fastback]

I think you have some more research to do. Such as what distributor are you running and have you tested the vacuum advance to make sure that the diaphram is operating properly? A malfunctioning vacuum advance will make mileage suffer. Also, what carb are you running? Is it stock and have you torn it apart to see what jets are installed? I ran several years on my Weber 32/36 and had done some jet changes. But when i changed the air corrector jets, I went from 18.5 mpg to 23 mpg. By the way, I have a T-5 transmission. A few years ago with lower gas prices, this would not have "paid out" on economics in under 10 years. I am not sure if it would pay out in the higher prices we have today.
Doug

 

[XFlow_Fairlane]

with my 200 with 5200 (simpley sprayed carb cleaner in a JY carb) DS in my fairlane with t5 adn 3.50 gears I got about 25-27 all summer last year.