I read in "Howstuffworks" that what made a Pinto an "MPG", around 1975, was the 4 cylinder engine and the manual transmission. Does that mean that ALL Pintos with those characteristics should have been getting the advertised 34 mpg? Anyone have more information or an informed opinion on this?
Hmmm...fair question. I have a 1976 MPG wagon, it is the 2.3l four with manual as you stated, and has all kinds of smog stuff on it (well, it did, when I bought it).
34mpg advertised? Oh my, I can't believe that would be a real, acheivable number!!
Chris
If I recall right, the MPGs had taller rear gears. 2.79 vs 3.00. Anyone have a sales brochure with specs?
71HANTO
Quote from: popbumper on July 01, 2012, 02:22:20 PM
34mpg advertised? Oh my, I can't believe that would be a real, acheivable number!!
Chris
well... it may be possible. I just checked the "Wounded Pinto" for milage on a trip this weekend. I've never done this before with this one because the speedo is slightly off. However I know how many miles this trip is door-to-door and I now know how far off the speedo is, I used my GPS to deternmine actual speed vs. the reported speed. Here's what I found....
speedo reports 50mph and I'm actually doing 55mph
the trip this weekend is 120miles door to door
speedo reported 110 miles for the trip
I used 3.2 gallons
120 miles / 3.2 gallons = 37.5 MPG!!!!
I drove non stop, a few towns I slow to 30mph, never floored the gas pedal and tried to get the best milage possible. I kept it between 55 and 58mph for 80% of the trip. Last leg was a 65mph zone, I was doing 60 to 65mph.
I find this hard to believe and I will be rechecking but... maybe it is possible
(no I do not know the rear end gears but its a2.3L and 4spd stock with only the air pump disabled)
Rounded up 38 MPG??? Not bad for a 30+ year old car. There's hope for mine yet once I get it running... First things first, get the engine fire damage taken care of
That's impressive, my wagon is a 2.3L with an auto trans, but it still an MPG wagon if I am recalling correctly. No idea what the gears would be. Cookieboystoys, what did you do to disable the air pump? Ours stopped spinning so we cut the belt for it, but now we don't have the fan or anything either.
Quote from: waldo786 on July 03, 2012, 04:38:50 PM
Cookieboystoys, what did you do to disable the air pump?
just the belt cut, nothing has been removed or plugged on this one. My 77 hatchback, 2.3L, Auto with AC gets 25mpg for best milage (with ac off)
That's about what the wagon was getting when I last checked - somewhere around 25. How does your engine run? Ours is very rough even though it was rebuilt not terribly long ago and not many miles on it. Really seemed to get worse after we cut the belt for the air pump. :/
the 77? it runs great, 3K miles on Stampede last year and another 2K in various trips usually pulling my camper. Gas mileage drops to around 20-22mpg with trailer and ac off and on.
the 80 with the disabled air pump... also runs smooth, it's my daily driver.
When Callisto was on the road with the 2.3 draw thru turbo & 4-speed I was getting 26 to 31 mpg with 2.76 rear gear.
Quote from: Cookieboystoys on July 02, 2012, 11:31:16 AM
120 miles / 3.2 gallons = 37.5 MPG!!!!
I drove non stop, a few towns I slow to 30mph, never floored the gas pedal and tried to get the best milage possible. I kept it between 55 and 58mph for 80% of the trip. Last leg was a 65mph zone, I was doing 60 to 65mph.
I find this hard to believe and I will be rechecking but... maybe it is possible
I did it again and this time.... 37.85 MPG!!! Holy Pinto Batman!
Last year returning from Carlisle (without any speeding incidents) the
the Ol' Postalpony gave back 32.45 mpg, the best I have ever gotten.
Not bad pulling a 3.80 gear with a 5speed & 23.75 dia P215/60 14
Firerocks all around. But it's fast when needed. lol
Dick