how to get the most efficicncy out of my ford 200

[random hero]

i own a 1972 ford maverick and it gets pretty good gas mileage...atleast 25...pushin 30. what can i do to get better mileage from it...dui distributor? exhaust? i already have a k&n air filter...idk if that did much, lol. and i drive very gently so i got that covered...what would be best for an increase in mileage?

 

[BIGREDRASA]

Pertronix 1, DUI or similar electronic ignition. Synthetic or synthetic blend oil, no thicker than 10W-30, 5W-20 in Winter. Keep tire pressure up. Make sure front end is aligned with minimum toe-in. Install cruise control for highway driving. Install low restriction exhaust (headers, low restriction muffler, 2"-2 1/4" exhaust pipe). Keep the windows rolled up. Take unnecessary junk out of the trunk. Wash and wax the car.

If you want impress your friends, lie about it!

 

[LaGrasta]

run 40lbs in the tires. You'll give up some "ride", but it will be gained in mpg.
Honestly, you should be very, very pleased with those figures. With a light foot, I can get just about to the mid 20s. WIth a heavy foot or a/c running, I'm about 17. On average, I get 20. Look at my signature for my set-up.

 

[BIGREDRASA]

If you have an automatic, switch to an AOD. If you have a manual, switch to a 4 speed or T5 with a higher geared rear (lower numerically).

If you don't want the expense of a different rear, buy a taller, narrower tire (see conversion chart under sticky). Make sure to change the speedo gear in the tranny.

 

[grocery getter]

run 40lbs in the tires. You'll give up some "ride", but it will be gained in mpg.
Honestly, you should be very, very pleased with those figures. With a light foot, I can get just about to the mid 20s. WIth a heavy foot or a/c running, I'm about 17. On average, I get 20. Look at my signature for my set-up.

LaGrasta, those exhaust tips are costing you 3 MPG.

25 to 30 you're already doing good real good. auto or stick? if it's a stick a T-5 would really help. i'd start with the duraspark. some have had success with petronix. if you're just going for mileage at you're current 25-30, it's hard to suggest much that won't take a long time to get payback.

 

[Bort62]

Be careful under gearing...

If you have a 2.xx rear end, a T5 might actually hurt MPG as the OD ratio may move cruise RPM down into a less efficient zone.

It just depends on the motor specifics. You want your cruise RPM to be right in the middle of whatever point your motor is most efficient at.

That usually means lower is better, but not all the time, and if you are already making 25-30 mpg with a non OD trans, I would suspect you are pretty close to already there

 

[Bort62]

By the way, I would be curious to know how you are measuring your mileage... 25-30 is pretty fantastic and on the verge of unbeleiveable for one of these cars w/o a lot of specific effort spent in that direction.

a little inaccuracy in measurement of miles travelled or fuel consumed will end up making a big difference in mileage figures.

 

[grocery getter]

By the way, I would be curious to know how you are measuring your mileage... 25-30 is pretty fantastic and on the verge of unbeleiveable for one of these cars w/o a lot of specific effort spent in that direction.

a little inaccuracy in measurement of miles travelled or fuel consumed will end up making a big difference in mileage figures.

Good point Ian, i've always shook my head when someone says it took a 1/4 tank to get somewhere... like fuel gauges have ever been accurate.

25-30? if it isn't broke ....don't fix it

 

[Bort62]

Yeah, 25-30 is what I get out of my honda... I think my ranchero gets about 5.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy R Hero:

Tell us more aboutyour Maverick? What trans? gearing? Since you only mentioned the K&N I'm guessing that you're otherwise stock? A stock '72 with a 200 should have a Carter YF and a centrifigal & vacuum advance distributor. Be sure to optimize initial advance and open the plug gaps to .038" to .040". Upgrading to a PetroniX Ignitor would be a good upgrade to consider.

Don't overlook the free, cheap and simple things in pursuit of better mileage. Minimize your automatic choke function and accelerator pump. Lower your idle speed to the lowest possible setting. Maximize your low speed air screw to the highest vacuum reading.

In addition to LaGasta and Rasa's suggestions, try to maintain as much engine heat as can be managed without overheating. Block off the opening in the grill, use a 195 degree thermostat, and consider an engine pre-heater. Most people think of pre-heaters for below freezing weather, but consider if the the ambient temp is 50 and optimum operating temp begins at about 175, your engine is running at 125 degrees less than ideal from start-up to warmed up. So, avoid cold starts whenever possible.

Also don't idle ever! On cold starts, start up and drive off at a slow reasionable speed for the 1st 8 to 10 miles. Your engine will warm up more efficiently in gear and under load then idling.

Keep us posted on what you try and how it works for you.

Adios, David

 

[random hero]

it's a 72 maverick, with a c4 tranny, it's got 2.xx gears, i know they put 2 kinds in them...i know the ones in mine start with a 2...lol. yes it is an otherwise stock maverick, my timing is slightly advanced, and my plug gap is opened to .040" already. i do have a carter yf 1 bbl carb, but i dont have the slightest clue how to adjust it, i know how to adjust the high and low speed idles and thats it. but i do not have a problem trying, if u give me a walk through or a link i will give it a shot. i really wanna upgrade to the DUI ignition to optimize my ignition system, and clean up my already clean engine bay...basically just make it all one piece. how can i check vacuum? i do believe i have a lower temp thermostat in my car, i'll go ahead and change that...thank you so much for your advice...and as for how i gauged my mileage, i would drive to my gf's college every day of the week...and it was pretty damn far, and i would be driving to work as well, i would fill up on monday(at her college...right on the jersey border) and i would have just enough gas left to get the the gas station down there on friday it was always close to around the 300 range, my car never took much more over 10 gallons, so thats how i figured it...plus, for some reasoon, once my car gets going it will stay at 65 70 with my foot barely pressing the pedal (less than an inch)

 

[Bort62]

Well, not trying to critize, just help ya out.

but 10 gallons and 300 miles is 30 mpg (duh)

10.5 gallons and 300 miles is 28

and say, 10.7 gallons and 285 miles is ~ 26.

So, my point is, unless you are pretty specific about the # of miles and # of gallons, it's hard to be too certain.

I keep religious track of the mileage in my car's that have working speedos. I write the odometer reading on the receipt, and later log it all on my computer.

It also lets me see how much I spend each month on gas

 

[random hero]

and did i not say 25-30 mpg...so wheres the problem...280 miles divided by 10.9 gallons is still 25mpg...so where is the problem in my math? ...it's a 2900lb car with my and gas in it...and those miles are atleast 80% highway...wheres the hostility comin from?

 

[jamyers]

and did i not say 25-30 mpg...so wheres the problem...280 miles divided by 10.9 gallons is still 25mpg...so where is the problem in my math? ...it's a 2900lb car with my and gas in it...and those miles are atleast 80% highway...wheres the hostility comin from?

No hostility, just wanting to be accurate. I think your comment "...pretty good gas mileage...atleast 25...pushin 30..." lead most folks to think you were getting 25-30mpg. Most of us aiming for good mileage seem to get around 21-24 on the highway, so you can see that if you were getting 25 or 30 we'd think you'd really have something to brag about, and it'd seem a bit odd that you'd be wanting even more. No worries, it's all good!

On your Maverick, I don't think I'd be in a hurry to change very much on the carb since it seems to be running very well indeed. Maybe an ignition upgrade - and not to knock the DUI, but for the dollar I think a Ford electronic Duraspark distributor from a '74 or later Mav would be a good upgrade, and you can use either a Duraspark, GM HEI, of MSD box to fire the coil (MSD Blaster or NAPA 12IC are both good coils).

If you haven't already, check out the sticky threads at the top of the forums, tons of good info there for interesting reading.

Oh, and WELCOME to the forums!

 

[BIGREDRASA]

I keep religious track of the mileage in my car's that have working speedos. I write the odometer reading on the receipt, and later log it all on my computer.(

Bort, this is not the forum for religious topics!

I keep track of my mileage for another reason, also. When I see a drop in mileage, I try to find out why. It could be an engine/tuneup problem. Or it could simply be more city vs. highway driving that week. BTDT

Maybe you can check with the IRS to see if the cost of courtship is tax-deductible?

 

[Bort62]

Yeah, I also use it for diagnostic purposes. If it ever drops below 25 for more than a tank, I know something is probably wrong.

I am really not trying to be hostile, just trying to clear things up. Garbage-in garbage-out applies to most things in life, and if you want good information from this forum, you need to bring good accurate data to it.

25 mpg I would belive under those circumstances, and I would say that is a pretty good indication that your car is running pretty well.

An ignition upgrade is probably a good bet to pick up a little, and improve overall driveability significantly.

What year did ford start using the duraspark ?

 

[jamyers]

What year did ford start using the duraspark ?

Pretty sure it was '73-'74 phase-in.

 

[grocery getter]

What year did ford start using the duraspark ?

Pretty sure it was '73-'74 phase-in.

i've been looking and '74 has points or EI. there's a price difference between the '74 and the later duraspark.
I wonder what the differences are other than the cap.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy All:

Not to pirate this topic, but, FYI- the original small cap DuraSpark ignition system was phased in in the 1974 model year. The DuraSpark II followed in late '75 & early '76. The main differences are related to the size of the cap. Both centrifugal and vacuum advance curves varied depending on location, trans and vehicle.

The original DuraSpark makes for a very effective stealth, sleeper, stock type look. With some discreet camoflage of the module it looks very stock 60's.

Adios, David

 

[jamyers]

What year did ford start using the duraspark ?

Pretty sure it was '73-'74 phase-in.

i've been looking and '74 has points or EI. there's a price difference between the '74 and the later duraspark.
I wonder what the differences are other than the cap.

I don't think there is anything different other than the cap and it's adapter doohickey.

And the various centrifugal advance curves, which seem to be hit-n-miss on which one you'll get anymore.