[rgshafto]

So, with with the summer old car driving season coming up and $4.00 gas on the horizon, I'm curious about what kind of gas mileage people are getting with their flatheads?

The best I can do with my '36 Sixes is about 16 highway, 13-14 around town (which is most of my driving of course). Not much better than a modern SUV, and this from a car touted as the "economy leader" that year.

We don't have much Ethynol here, but I'm guessing mileage is worse with that mix?

[Tinindian]

Most of the gas I use has 5% ethanol. I drive about a thousand miles a month, half in town and half in the country. I drive the car to keep up with traffic in the city and cruise about 50 to 55mph on the highway. Over all I average about 19 mpg. Before ethanol I averaged about 19 1/2 mpg. The only difference now is that I use NKG sparkplugs and only have to change them every second year rather than every year when I was using AC's and Champions. Are the plugs better or does the ethanol make them last longer. I don't notice any other difference. Highway mileage alone is about 20 to 20 1/2 mpg and city mileage can get down to 16 in bad weather.

[Rusty_OToole]

Could be a little on the low side. But cars didn't get very good mileage back then.

Smaller cars like Ford, Chev, Plymouth would average about 17 or 18, maybe 20 with a good tuneup.

Heavy models like Cadillac V8, 15 or so.

[Lukey]

Gas milage? Mine is lousy, but what you going to do! I'm driving a 1950 4 door Chieftain Delux with an eight and a hydromatic so I do not expect a lot. Runs in the 14 MPG range for me. I do a lots of driving with the car loaded down like a Mack truck, and I'm sure that doesn't help any. On the flip side of the coin, it only got 11 MPG when I first started driving it. Getting the right oil, tune up, tire presure, and all that ther stuff you are supose to do really made a difference. That's like a 25% increase. Lukey

[mrshoestoc]

I get 12 MPG on the 48 S8 with automatic Tranny. Have not checked the 46 Standard yet. -Rick

[rgshafto]

Hi Rick, ouch 12 mpg's gotta hurt with these gas prices. Not driving it to So. Dakota this summer I guess? :-)

[49 Streamliner]

I'm envious of some of your numbers. I get about 10 mpg in town and maybe 14 or so on the few times I've had my 49 Streamliner on the highway. It's an 8 with manual transmission. Most of my outings are less than 10 miles, and in my neighborhood there's a stop sign almost every block, so it's probably not a good sampling of what the mileage could be. I still have fun though.

Bill

[mrshoestoc]

No, I'm not going to POCI in South Dakota, don't know what criteria they use to choose locations, must be a drag strip out in the middle of nowhere, I'd rather attend the Flathead Reunion in St. Michaels, MD in early September. All pre-1955 Pontiacs and Oaklands, friendly folks who dress in period style and fun non-competetive 40mph activities! See the Early Times Chapter website for details. Thanks. -Rick

[32Pontiac6]

I have a '32 6 with rebuilt engine but I am not running my original Marvel carb yet. When cruising around town I seem to get in the 12-14 mpg range. On the road when I am touring I get 15-18 mpg. That is curising in the 45-55 mph range. I am hoping when I rebuild the original Marvel that I may do a bit better.

[roy_pagnini]

Try a straight 8 with dual carters maybe 12 mpg on a good day. I do have a progressive linkage I am going to try and it runs very well with fuel in proportion to all the clinders