Mileage on Tour

Jerry Kzoo

Jerry Kzoo

Senior Member
We just got back from the Michigan Model A Roundup in Troy. These are always a lot of fun. There were only 85 cars there this year, but the Oak Leaf Region did a great job.

Anyway, on the way home there were 6 of us touring the 160 miles home to Kalamazoo. My car got the worst mileage by far. I was only getting about 14 miles to the gallon. I have a 1931 S/W Town Sedan with a Snyder head and stock driveline. Others were getting over 20 miles to the gallon and one car that has a later trans was close to 25 miles to the gallon.

What do you guys average and what should I look for to possibly improve my mileage. Heck, my bladder holds out longer than my gasoline supply!!

Jerry
 
I have a bone stock 1931 Slant window and have the side bowl on it. On a recent 160 mile drive I got right at 20 MPG. Check the carb and all the adjsutments. You are probably running rich. For some reason my Sidebowl likes to have the GAV almost shut to run right.
 
My 28 open cab picup towing a teardrop camper averaged 18 and a best of nearly 21 mpg on a recent 7000klm trip.
Lawrie
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I can get 20 on my slant on highway tour with a side bowl Zenith, a B Zenith or a Winfield. Tire inflation makes a big difference. Keep them at 35, I even go to 40psi if I am running 16s.
Most common cause is that the old Zenith needs a rebuild with a correctly adjusted float and flow tested jets. Correct spark timing is important too. Check for dragging brake shoes and proper wheel alignment as well.
 
A 4 door is heavier but not so much that you should get that poor a gas mileage. I would look at flow tested jets (Renners Corners in MI sells them), float height, turn the gav nearly off at highway speeds, timing of the distributor, GOOD condensor, GOOD plugs, 35 PSI in tires, and find that "sweet spot" on the distrib timing at running speed via the spark lever.

Of course dragging brakes can hurt as well.

Does it have a lot of "zip" or does it dog it when accelerating in 3rd at 20 mph and up?

Run it about 45 mph and shift into neutral and see how she coasts.

Also a thermostat helps get better gas mileage believe it or not.

Dennis L Oberer
Green Bay WI
 
On a long trip (3,000total miles) I averaged 23 mpg, much of the trip was at speeds of 60mph+, stock drivetrain, stock head, B cam (both engine and dist), Zenith carb.
I have not kept records of my local driving, but 10$ in fuel gives me several outings.
 
30 Tudor with a touring motor and Mitchel gear splitter. Unbalanced Zenith with a K&N filter.......................19.5 mpg.
 
Hi Jerry, Assuming your engine is good and timing, etc is set up right, you should expect at least 18.5 mpg. On the tour, it would not be unreasonable to expect 20.
Two questions: can you smell your exhaust when the car is standing still at idle? Can you see visible exhaust when the car is fully warmed up? If the answer to either of these two questions is yes, then you need to reduce your cap jet and main jet sizes, as suggested above, the engine is running too rich. Good Luck!
 
I have a 1930 Town Sedan, Snyder head, Mitchell o/d, stock re-built Zenith, 19" wheels, and I usually get right around 20-21 on a tour...cruising at around 55-60 mph and over somewhat varied terrain, but mostly freeway. Also check the color of your exhaust tailpipe...should not be jet black....more gray color. You can also check your spark plugs....sounds like you might be too rich, but timing must also be right. Mine likes full advance at those speeds on level ground, GAV about 1/4 open or slightly less.
 
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