Re: [Amc-list] 17.339 MPG around town

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

Dwell is pretty hard to do by ear but you can get very close on timing 
and fuel mixture (you need to adjust that after the timing is changed 
and that may help mileage some). That's usually the method I do when 
doing a first firing on a rebuild or cam swap. You'll probably need to 
experiment with the timing a bit. Gas has changed a lot in the past 43 
years. Both of my Americans like the timing retarded a little bit for 
best power and economy.

Also, it will sound like the engine is running too fast on the highway 
but that's just because modern cars have overdrive and are better 
insulated. You'll get used to it running faster.

BTW, for the type of driving you're doing, that mileage sounds pretty 
good. I'd love it if my 3/4 ton Ram got that going back and forth to 
work (mostly stop and go on the highway). Of course, my Ram weighs at 
least double your car and has 3 times the power which I'm sure has 
something to do with it.

Matt

On 5/25/2008 5:45 PM, Bruce Griffis spouted this sage advice:
> Getting some miles on the American sedan. I'm really liking it, and
> think I'm going to start visiting a local garage every month or so for
> minor stuff (I'm getting too lazy with summer here). We did the old
> "check the fuel level" method (look at odometer, take out notebook,
> check when I last got gas and how many miles). Well, on fillup I
> calculated we got 17.339 miles per gallon cruising around town. Not
> bad. If I make the big change from ear tuning to actually using a
> timing light and dwell meter, we might get better.
> 
> Not bad for a 43 year old car. Right around what my wife's Highlander
> gets. Wonder if I could get 20.
-- 
mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1967 Rambler American wagon
1968 Rambler American sedan
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