just thought id open up a thread for those of you out there who are trying to get more mpg out of your car, aswell as myself, I'd like to hear any ideas, bolt on modifications etc etc etc, stuff you can do in your garage at home kindof stuff that would boost the mpg on one of our pintos
engine vs engine, what stacks up? 1600 2000 2300 ? lets hear it from owners what kind of mpg they get.
ok, back to math homework, just something that ran through my head as i was going through this be-damned linear programming.
Trent
My beater 73 Pinto 1600 four speed stick got 30-35 miles per gallon on a trip from Iowa to Michigan last week. Stick shifts are a big plus on any older four cylinders mileage.
First if you get on the subject of increasing gas mileage it must be in the context of saving money. The point being, why bolt on many high $$$ items to create get better mileage when you will get a net zero dollar gain. So I would stick to things that can be done at low cost. Your picture shows a later model that would be smogged down. Here are a few low cost items I would do, although not too green!
1) remove the catalytic converter and replace with a through pipe. CHEAP!
2) block the EGR valve. FABRICATE A PLATE OR JUST REMOVE THE VACUUM LINE.
3) remove the smog pump. BLOCK THE HOSES TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD
4) If you get spark knocking after blocking the EGR valve, then the distributor should be recurved or try the next higher grade fuel.
5) Keep advancing your timing until you detect spark knocking under load. Then back off slightly.
6) You may need to rejet your carb slightly richer after all these modifications. YOU CAN DO THIS CHEAPLY WITH DRILLS
7) Use Mobil 1 synthetic oil. 15W-50 in summer and 0-40 in winter. Thinner oils will increase the mileage but risk engine wear on older vehicles with larger clearances. The 75-77 2300 had piston scuffing problems if you did not run good oil. The 2000 engine needs the thicker oil for the cam. So stay away from the 0W-20, 5W-30, etc oils even though it would help mileage.
8) Run 180 degree thermostat in the summer and disconnect the hot air tube. In the winter run 192 - 195 degree thermostat and re-install the hot air tube.
9) try running the next higher octane fuel and bump the timing more in advance. Sometimes this can create more power and gas mileage and offset the increased fuel cost. This also helps after blocking the EGR.
10) Spend this money...Electric cooling fan. Go to a junk yard and get one off a crashed low mileage car. Fabricate it using the shroud if possible. This really helps the four cylinder in power & mileage.
11) get rid of excess weight. Clean out that trunk. You can also get rid of the gas evaporation system. Drill a tiny hole in the gas cap diapragm so you can zoop & blow through it. Now block the hose that goes to the canister. Now remove the canister.
12) Change to taller tires when they wear out. This is like a gear ratio change. Remember when figuring mileage you will need to compensate for the speedometer difference. It may seem like you lost mileage until you factor in the difference. Also if you don't figure in the difference you will be going faster than your speedometer says. Ticket city! There are calculators that can help you. If you determine the circumference % difference between the old & new tires that will get you close.
13) Change the rear axle fluid to a multi-grade when performing maintenance.
two more...
* If you have a de-acceleration valve, remove it. This wastes gas when slowing down. The cheap way is to remove it and saw off the threded end. Then tap the hole 1/2-13. Then install a short bolt & washer with teflon tape. Now reinstall the modified piece. Also block off the hose to the carburetor.
* Tire air pressure, run higher than recommended. Try 30 psi.
Quote from: Starliner on September 30, 2006, 11:39:18 AM
4) If you get spark knocking after blocking the EGR valve, then the distributor should be recurved or try the next higher grade fuel.
5) Keep advancing your timing until you detect spark knocking under load. Then back off slightly.
Did you know you can adjust the vacumm advance by putting a 1/8" allen in the vac port and turning it. This adjusts the spring inside. Counterclock to tighten and make the advance back off quicker.
-Jon
Isn't removing the catalytic converter illegal here in the states though?
I was thinking of putting a thru-pipe and removing mine since it is an exhaust leak on my car.
Its illegal to remove the converter but no one looks under 30 yr old cars,at least not here.Mine uhhh fell off yeh that's it it fell off about 16 yrs ago.
well guys in ca on my 77wagon when its time for a smog check it goes on a treadmill and its checked at 15 and 25 mph under load.also they look under the car for the cat and all holes must be plugged so no gas vapors can escape.my stock aircleaner had 2 circle holes and i had to find a rubber plugs to fit it.of course aftet it passes i put back my open chrome ford racing air cleaner but all connections are there.and yes i wish it would drop off smog checks but it not going to happen in ca. chris
Its great here in Ohio, because you dont have to do a "smog" - E Check on cars registered to "historical plates". You have to do it one time with "collector plates" but can reregister the car without a test there after, only have to get it to pass one time.
However, the reason I opened this post was to tell all you pinto owners to stop worring about mileage. To make you feal better, I had my 1979 Lincoln out yesterday. Just went for a ride, enjoy the car and the sun-shine.
Filled the tank back up on the return home, at a cost of $78.00 dollars.
I will just keep telling myself how much I love that car, and love to drive it.
Wont check the mileage thou, that would take all the fun out of it [ha ha]
Have fun, enjoy your car, and dont worry about the price, there are are alot of things that cost more And are alot less fun.
The next time that talk of mileage comes up, I will say something about the one medicen that I need [so that I can drive, as well as other thing like walk etc.] at a cost of $1400.00 per mounth. Kind of makes the price of gas "small talk" dont it
Jim at jimspinto
Quote from: jimspinto on April 07, 2008, 10:04:31 AM
Its great here in Ohio, because you don't have to do a "smog" - E Check on cars registered to "historical plates". You have to do it one time with "collector plates" but can re-register the car without a test there after, only have to get it to pass one time.
However, the reason I opened this post was to tell all you pinto owners to stop worrying about mileage. To make you feel better, I had my 1979 Lincoln out yesterday. Just went for a ride, enjoy the car and the sun-shine.
Filled the tank back up on the return home, at a cost of $78.00 dollars.
I will just keep telling myself how much I love that car, and love to drive it.
Wont check the mileage thou, that would take all the fun out of it [ha ha]
Have fun, enjoy your car, and don't worry about the price, there are are alot of things that cost more And are alot less fun.
The next time that talk of mileage comes up, I will say something about the one medicines that I need [so that I can drive, as well as other thing like walk etc.] at a cost of $1400.00 per months. Kind of makes the price of gas "small talk" dont it
Jim at jimspinto
Hey Jim,
Sorry to hear your medical issues are so severe....
Yes really makes other problems in our lives seem so insignificant.
Take care...
From Pintony
Hey Jim!
What kind of '79 Lincoln do you have? I have two... a white Mark V with the Wedgewood Luxury Group (blue landau top, mouldings, pinstripes and blue velour) and a Midnight Blue Collector's Series sedan. Both are under 100K miles and run like a top. I enjoy them immensely but they ARE pricey to drive, although the Mark V actually got a little better than 18 mpg last summer on an 850 mile trip... only about one mile less per gallon than my 2007 Mark LT 4x4! My '72 Pinto (1600 w/ 4spd. manual) turned in 30 mpg on a 165 mile trip in January.
Dwayne :smile: