Fuel Consumption

J

James G

Junior Member
Hello,

New to the forum. I recently purchased a 1931 Model A coup and have driven it about 300 miles this weekend. The fuel consumption seems excessive for a four cylinder engine. The car seems to be getting about 10 miles per gallon. Starts and runs great. It this normal fuel burn?

Jim G
 
Depends on a lot of circumstances like the condition of your engine, speed, terrain, wind. I've got a complete rebuilt engine with a Marvel carb. 5.5 head in my Tudor and I get a constant 17/18 mpg. You'll get responses here and try the search function. Good luck
 
I checked my fuel consumption on a road trip I did last week and it was 21 mpg. I think if one is getting close to 20 they are doing pretty well.
 
I think that the New Zealand gallon is bigger than a US gallon, but on a 2500 mile trip I got 22mpg with a very modified motor and lightweight speedster body.
Keith
 
If the plugs show a good burn and it runs and drives tip top then your getting the best mileage u can..
Most guys report in the 18-22 MPG range with a zenith
 
I get over 20-----I just ran 100 miles on some old gas that made the lawnmower ping--- a little less than 5 gal, and the gauge still moves some, but it is near empty
Stock with zenith
 
If your car is rebuilt to factory specs (no JS) then you should expect over 20 MPG running over 50 MPH all day long.
 
I probably get 15-20. Never checked it. When it gets down to about 1/4 tank or less I put another $10 in along with a couple of glug glugs of MMO. Too many other things to worry about and gas mileage not one of them.

Have you tried adjusting the GAV??
Paul in CT
 
James G said:
Hello,

New to the forum. I recently purchased a 1931 Model A coup and have driven it about 300 miles this weekend. The fuel consumption seems excessive for a four cylinder engine. The car seems to be getting about 10 miles per gallon. Starts and runs great. It this normal fuel burn?

Jim G
Click to expand...

There are two other possible reasons for poor gas mileage. You may have the GAV control wide open. This is part of the choke rod. Turn it clock wise until it is closed, then back it open counter clock wise by a half turn. If it is open more than a couple of turns it is wide open.

You also may have jets in the carburetor that have been molested over the years by people poking welding tip cleaners in them. Or they could be poor quality reproduction jets that are too big to start with. Each of the four jets should have a prescribed flow rate. It the main, cap, and comp jets are too large the gas mileage suffers.

Tom Endy
 
It also makes a big difference on where and how you drive it. My 1930 Town Sedan, which is the heaviest Model A, gets 20-22 mpg when cruising on the hi way, but it drops down to the teens when I am just driving stop and go around town.
 
We all seem to be in the same ballpark. I have several Model A's and I get about 18-20 in each one. Wayne
 
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Guys,

Appreciate the tips. It turns out that the GAV was wide open. I have adjusted as suggested - closing it all the way and opening it a half turn. Was not aware of that the choke rotated like that.

Thanks for the information,

Jim G
 
Mine runs great, and is dialed in pretty well. All the running gear is unmodified. I couldn't tell you what gears I have in the rear. I check my mileage with every fill-up and get a very consistent 13 mpg.

I would love to get better mileage, but it runs so well I don't want to screw with it.

Ken
 
Oregon gas gives lesser mileage than other states. In Nevada or Idaho, for instance, I get 19-20 mpg. In Oregon, consistently 15 mpg in all three of my A's
 
Most of our miles are in town in heavy traffic. It can take use up to an hour to travel 10 miles. We see 12 - 15 mpg.
 
Hi James,

All sincere responses above.

After experimenting with several carburetors with my coupe for over 50 years, in my humble opinion, 10MPG is very poor mileage, unless ............ you are a U.S. Postman delivering mail in your coupe ............... house to house ............ in the steep hills in Eureka Springs Arkansas ........... while traveling all day in first gear ........ allowing your engine to run and idle while walking to place mail at people's front doors ...... plus allowing the U. S. Postal Department to pay for your gas.

I got up to 28 mpg with my "original" untouched Marvel Carburetor on my 1930 unrestored coupe using Pan-Am unleaded gas during the late 1950s and 1960s..

Please add a very informational Model A Forum response by letting everyone know what happened to your MPG after you made your Forum suggested carburetor adjustment per your reply no. 11.

Very familiar happening ..... someone will post a Forum question like a student .... they get a meaningful reply ....... they post what later happened after an adjustment where this same student becomes the teacher.

Any positive or negative response after adjustment could help future Model A owners looking to better their gas mileage.
 
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FWIW:

Mr. Endy's reply no.9 is about as accurate as one can get to determine the "root" cause as to why most of today's Model As are burning too much gas.

Just think:

1. Want to guess how many Model A owners have so-called "rebuilt", un-tuned carburetors that are 85 years old or older and have no idea how to adjust same?

2. Want to guess "who" rebuilt these 85 year old carburetors with modern "inaccurate" jets multiple times after beating up the orifices in the "original accurate" jets with hard steel wire during multiple routine carburetor cleanings?

3. Want to guess how many of today's Model A carburetors are "accurately" rebuilt with precision employing flow tested jets such as that offered by Renner's Corner?

4. Want to guess how many Model A owners are satisfied obtaining 8 MPG or less?

5. Want to guess how many "professional" guitar players can play the vintage tune "12th Street Rag" on an un-tuned guitar with incorrect size strings?

6. Some may want to add to what to guess when dealing with MPG.
 
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