[Amc-list] Gas mileage

["Clarence Milstead" <cmilstead@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think most AMC cars came from the factory with restrictive exhaust
systems. Opening up the exhaust system is one of the best things you can do
to increase mileage. My 1971 Gremlin picked up two miles to the gallon when
I installed Clifford headers. I was already running a Thrush muffler with
less restriction than the factory muffler. The AMC people built good cars
but sometimes they didn't think right. They probably went with the smaller
exhaust systems to save a few pennies or dollars but by increasing the size
of the pipes just a little they could have increased mileage and had that to
brag about. As far as the six cylinder engines in the larger cars I don't
think they helped mileage much since they had to work harder with the
heavier car. When the Pacers came out I drove one to see how it rode and
performed, it was a nice car but sluggish. My Gremlin had lots more
acceleration, and that was before any major modifications. The Pacer should
have never been built with the six-cylinder engine, it should have had the
304 V-8 from the start after the Wankel engine was cancelled. This was just
another bad corporate decision. I know they were struggling with gas mileage
but I doubt the 258 gave any better mileage in the heavier car than the 304
would have with the right gears.

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