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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

302 and 12 MPG...

  • Thread starter Thread starter aldeswarii
  • Start date Start date May 11, 2005
A

aldeswarii

New Member
Jul 7, 2004
8
0
0
May 11, 2005
#1
  • May 11, 2005
  • #1
Ok, so my recently rebuilt 302 is getting horrible gas mileage (about 12 is the best I've had) on 2.70s and a rebuilt C4.

302 .030 over
Edelbrock Performer Intake, Cam, Lifters, 650 CFM Carb ( All from a kit )
Pertronix Flamethrower

I don't get it.
 

12sec67

Active Member
Oct 6, 2003
1,301
1
36
San Diego, Ca
May 11, 2005
#2
  • May 11, 2005
  • #2
check your timming, plugs & gap, then re-jet your carb!
 

7D3mach

Member
May 9, 2005
48
0
6
Melfort, SK
May 11, 2005
#3
  • May 11, 2005
  • #3
Mine is about the same except I usually get 10-11mpg (highway). I'm running 2.73s and a C6. My mods are Edelbrock cam, 351W valves, all new valvetrain, port and polish, .020 over, pertronix ignition, etc. (I know I'm leaving stuff out, check out my website for a whole list.) I don't know what it is either, and yes it is tuned right.
 

65fastback2+2

New Member
Aug 4, 2003
1,229
0
0
Louisville, KY
May 11, 2005
#4
  • May 11, 2005
  • #4
2.73's are probably too low letting the convertor still spin instead of locking, i know d.hearne has suggested this to me before
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
May 12, 2005
#5
  • May 12, 2005
  • #5
there are a number of things that affect fuel economy. they are;

1: carb jetting

2: float level

3: fuel pump pressure

4: vacuum leaks

5: ignition timing

6: vacuum advance(or lack there of)

7: gearing

8: driving style

9: carb size

10: state of tune

11: compression ratio(or lack there of)

12: exhaust problems

13: acclerator pump output


etc. take these one at a time and fix any problems first. then work on your driving style.
 

Hack

15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2004
1,945
13
69
Minneapolis
May 12, 2005
#6
  • May 12, 2005
  • #6
aldeswarii said:
Ok, so my recently rebuilt 302 is getting horrible gas mileage (about 12 is the best I've had) on 2.70s and a rebuilt C4.

302 .030 over
Edelbrock Performer Intake, Cam, Lifters, 650 CFM Carb ( All from a kit )
Pertronix Flamethrower

I don't get it.
Click to expand...
How does it run? 12 mpg doesn't actually sound that bad to me if you're driving it hard in the city. Now if that's all gentle highway cruising at 55 mph, 12 is bad.

It's also possible that you have a fuel leak.

I don't really understand why classic car owners get all upset and worry about gas mileage. Just drive it and have fun. If it isn't performing well, sure do some tuning. If you're after great fuel economy, putting aftermarket performance parts on the car is NOT the way to go.

Buy a Yugo or a Chevette. They get better gas mileage.
 

2nd Mustang

Founding Member
Feb 24, 2002
2,488
0
46
Southern California
May 12, 2005
#7
  • May 12, 2005
  • #7
12 mpg, you're doing darn good. I'm a lot less, single digits.
 
O

Old Blue

New Member
Jul 15, 2004
58
0
0
May 12, 2005
#8
  • May 12, 2005
  • #8
i must be doing well. i get 14-16mpg. set up is

69 grande
302 stock
600 cfm edelbrock carb
pertronix II ignition
t-10 4-speed
whatever gears were from the factory for a 69 grande 302 automatic
 

Edbert

Founding Member
Jul 13, 2002
3,548
32
109
Austin TX
May 12, 2005
#9
  • May 12, 2005
  • #9
Have you attached a vacuum gauge with a long hose and looked at it while you drive around town or down the highway?

Driving style can affect mileage more drastically than many folks realize. I got 21.8mpg from my 05-GT last tank but many folks in the 05 forum are seeing 15-16mpg.
 

Stang_1973

Founding Member
Jul 13, 2001
565
9
38
San Antonio, Tx.
May 12, 2005
#10
  • May 12, 2005
  • #10
Does seem a little low for the performer setup. When I had that similair setup I was getting about 15-16 but that was alot of hiway miles. Now with the bigger cam and different heads I am geting around 14.5

Oh and c4 with a 3.00 rear gear.
 

7D3mach

Member
May 9, 2005
48
0
6
Melfort, SK
May 12, 2005
#11
  • May 12, 2005
  • #11
Ya, I think my poor mileage is from a heavy right foot. Oh well its worth it.
 

Jonstantine

Founding Member
Jul 20, 2002
487
0
0
Oklahoma
May 13, 2005
#12
  • May 13, 2005
  • #12
cruising at 75 with 2.80's i got about 16/17 mpg with eddy performer setup

trip from my parents to norman is about 155 miles or so and it took just over half a tank

when the points went bad, the gas mileage did drop alot though
 

notny41

Member
Aug 15, 2004
204
0
16
Minnesota
May 14, 2005
#13
  • May 14, 2005
  • #13
That must be why they started to make mustang II's in the seventy's gas crisis times....

 
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