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Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: JimG] #347052
06/15/09 10:57 AM
06/15/09 10:57 AM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,522
Orleans, Ontario
moparcanuk Offline
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Posts: 1,522
Orleans, Ontario
Stock 440, clean air filter, electronic ignition, proper tire pressure, 3:23 gears and 94 Octane gets me 15-16mpg (Imperial gallons) @60mph highway.

Oh yea, and a light foot on those on ramps.

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: moparcanuk] #347053
06/15/09 12:05 PM
06/15/09 12:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
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minivan Offline OP
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I guess I should add more here..

The engine ( and car) were rebuilt from the ground up. 67 coronet R/T vert. original engine and torque flite..

Engine was bored 40 over, forged pistons with a compression ratio of 9.2-9.3 to 1 after ccin the 915 heads.. Machine shop had the cam ( with about 1 inch of dust on the box) that was for a 375 horse 440.. Original carb 4327S, I think thats the number, rebuilt.. Stock original HP exhaust manifolds with a new accurate exhaust system including the "hi flow" hemi mufflers. I have just been cruising the car with only a couple of "breakin" heavy throttle passes. My stock points distributor was worn out so I installed, straight out of the box, a Pertronix billet plug and play distributor, and timed it to 7 bftdc pulling the vac advance line while timing.

Engine has a slight hesitation to it when I throttle it quickly and has backfired a few times when doing this.. I question my ability to rebuild the carb and I think the carb is pretty worn out.. I was going to install a new edelbrock but wanted to give the stock carb a try.. Was told it smelled very rich at warm start up by some friends...

Would a small vacuum leak contribute to poor mileage?? Thanks for all the help.. Oh and here is a pic of my 18 year project..

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: minivan] #347054
06/15/09 12:42 PM
06/15/09 12:42 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,884
Michigan
MNobody Offline
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Sounds like you need to do some carb tuning, check for vacuum leaks with some carb cleaner around the carb and vacuum lines. my 318 only get's 10mpg....

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: minivan] #347055
06/15/09 01:09 PM
06/15/09 01:09 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 531
Virginia
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JimG Offline
mopar
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Posts: 531
Virginia
Nice car! I wish my car had an up-down switch on the dash!

I would try getting the stock carb working before going aftermarket. That carb was calibrated to your engine by Chrysler engineers who spent hundreds of hours getting it right. Since you have a stock engine, if you can reclaim the original calibration, you'll be head and shoulders above taking a universal carb out of a box, bolting it on, and expecting it to be matched to your engine.

If you'd rather check what you've got before spending the money, you can have someone check the air-fuel ratio with a wideband meter. It's possible to check it at the tailpipe (so you don't have to install a bung) but it's not quite as accurate. Still better than nothing, though.

Since you seem unsure of your ability, carb wise, I'd recommend talking to good carb shops (some of whom are Moparts members) about refurbishing your carb and (here's the important part) maintaining the as-delivered calibration.

Otherwise, be sure your vacuum advance is working (as others have said) and if it's tunable, be sure it's coming in soon. You should have 38 degrees total advance by 2500 RPM or so with the vacuum advance disconnected.

Did I mention that I REALLY like your car?

Jim

ETA: I checked my original carb, and mine is a 4326S - I would guess that I'm one number off from yours due to the fact that mine is a 4-speed. Mine has 350 and 498 jets. The metering rods don't have numbers that my 49-year-old eyes can read, but I'll be happy to check them with a micrometer and let you know the measurements. The metering rod springs - I have no idea how to identify the ones in my carb.

If you're concerned that someone has changed parts in your carb, using the same calibraration as mine would get you darn close.

Shout back if I can give you any more info.

Last edited by JimG; 06/15/09 01:22 PM.
Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: MNobody] #347056
06/15/09 01:15 PM
06/15/09 01:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,500
Norwich CT USA
moparts Offline
I Live Here
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Norwich CT USA
Just for comparison, my 511 big block, .600 lift cam, 830 Holly DP gets 10 mpg over all. With 35 degrees of total timing with a very fast advance, all in at idle.

What I would do is re curve the dist for a faster advance, Set a total advance of around 35 degrees revved up.

This will give you around 15 degrees at idle. This is what the stock MP dist start with. If you don't have any pinging with this, then try adding the vacuum advance also for cruise speeds.


Tom ,

2011 Ram 3500 C&C Diesel
2009 Challenger R/T
1971 Challenger Conv. 511/4 speed
1970 Challenger R/T 503/727


Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: moparts] #347057
06/15/09 01:41 PM
06/15/09 01:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
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minivan Offline OP
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Eugene, Oregon
Thanks to all for the compliments and suggestions.. I will focus on the timing, carb and look for any vacuum leaks, although it idles well..

I pulled the car out of a field in 90, the plates have 82 stickers on them, and the first time I have driven it was 2 weeks ago.. Other than the fuel mileage its alot of fun.. I can actually watch my fuel gauge move...

Another pic.

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: minivan] #347058
06/15/09 02:03 PM
06/15/09 02:03 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline
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Manitoba, Canada
Quote:

Engine has a slight hesitation to it when I throttle it quickly and has backfired a few times when doing this..




Not enough initial ignition timing. I would try curving the distributor to run 15* initial and 35 total w/o vacuum advance. Then after the motor is running well at that level hook up the vac advance. You may have to play with the vac advance adjustment a bit because it may give too much vac advance at first causing you to ping during cruise or light accel. Some combos will tolerate a lot of vac advance, others will not.

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #347059
06/15/09 02:07 PM
06/15/09 02:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
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minivan Offline OP
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Eugene, Oregon
Thanks Daytona.. I just haven't had the time to fool with it.. There is absolutely NO pinging as is, so I wanna think I can get more advance out of it no problem...

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: Pale_Roader] #347060
06/15/09 04:16 PM
06/15/09 04:16 PM

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Anonymous
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Quote:

...i think 4...40's just suck in this dept. ....... stock 76 440, ..... gets around 8MPG.

I've never had a 440 in anything that could touch my 68 Cadillac's mileage,





Well let's put things in perspective, shall we? In 76, all makes had about the worst engine combo's going, thanks to Federal and CA smog laws, so you are comparing your 76 smogger to your 68 Caddie?

Here's a better example: Back in the day, my 70 sixpack RR--with OUT the sixpack, got 13.8 at 70mpg, and I DO NOT drive "for mileage." When I wanted to "leave" I "left" When I wanted to pass a car, they knew they'd been passed. When I used to get on a freeway, there was no doubt that "we" were going to merge. This was with an Edelbrock and 800DP.

The combo was: stock 440sixpack engine, headers, stock mufflers, Dana 3.54, G60 tires, and 3000 RPM at 70 mph. The car had "hang on AC" and an air grabber, not that it matters. That car with that combo would run 13.0's all night long at Carlsbad. I could not afford two rear axles, so 3.54's is what I ran

So the point is this: 13.8mpg, no careful driving, a car that would leave a 68 Caddie so far behind you couldn't see it after a couple of minutes, and much cooler to be seen in. As Dr Schill would say "are YOU KIDDIN ME?"

Re: 440 fuel mileage... #347061
06/15/09 05:23 PM
06/15/09 05:23 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383 Offline
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I just put mine through a 200 mile trip this weekend up to B/E&A for the get together. my 438 (383 .060 over, with a 440 crank...all BUT a 440!) with a .525 lift cam, edelbrock RPM heads, 750 holley HP, and dyno'd at 535 tq @ 3600 rpm and 505 hp @ 5800 rpm...got 10 mpg on the trip.

and that's in a 4200 lbs truck with the aerodynamics of a brick...sideways!

gears are a TKO-600 with .64OD, rear axle is a 4.56 ratio and 29" tires...I was turning 2650 RPM at 75mph. it'll do the speed limit at 2400 RPM


**Photobucket sucks**
Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: minivan] #347062
06/16/09 01:05 AM
06/16/09 01:05 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,177
Someplace you aren't
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SomeCarGuy Offline
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Your carb either has problems or it may in fact be too lean. That can cause a backfire like that. Being too lean can cause you to use more fuel as well, even though that is counterintuitive.

If you do decdie to get a new carb, DO NOT get a 1407 or 1411 Eddy.

The other Eddy carbs should be fine, with the AVS versions being the front runners. You can rebuild the carb yourself with not much trouble. THe exploed view should be all you need. Most have a sheet showing how to measure a few things like float drop.

Re: 440 fuel mileage... #347063
06/16/09 06:40 AM
06/16/09 06:40 AM
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Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
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Quote:


Well let's put things in perspective, shall we? In 76, all makes had about the worst engine combo's going, thanks to Federal and CA smog laws, so you are comparing your 76 smogger to your 68 Caddie?




When you get right down to it, a 76 is no different than a 72, heads, CR, slightly better in some areas, slightly worse in others. Both are about as inefficient as a big-block came. I should add that my 76 is essentially running 72 parts, intake, MP dist., the carb and exhaust are aftermarket, its been effectively de-smogged, etc. It has a six pack cam as well and was well tuned. So yeah, i'm comparing my nicely installed "76" to a 68 Cad 472 with a lot ov problems... in a car that is 1400lbs heavier with a windshield you could show drive-in movies on.

Quote:

Here's a better example: Back in the day, my 70 sixpack RR--with OUT the sixpack, got 13.8 at 70mpg, and I DO NOT drive "for mileage." When I wanted to "leave" I "left" When I wanted to pass a car, they knew they'd been passed. When I used to get on a freeway, there was no doubt that "we" were going to merge. This was with an Edelbrock and 800DP.




Haha, nice.

Quote:

The combo was: stock 440sixpack engine, headers, stock mufflers, Dana 3.54, G60 tires, and 3000 RPM at 70 mph. The car had "hang on AC" and an air grabber, not that it matters. That car with that combo would run 13.0's all night long at Carlsbad. I could not afford two rear axles, so 3.54's is what I ran

So the point is this: 13.8mpg, no careful driving, a car that would leave a 68 Caddie so far behind you couldn't see it after a couple of minutes,




Yes, i'm sure you would leave my SIX THOUSAND POUND Caddy behind. That really doesn't take much doing. So will my Charger on its worst day. Someday i will go crazy with the weight-reduction on it and get that beast down to a svelte 5200lbs... then i'll be beating up on 300's and Imperials ALL day long. Hahahahaha

Quote:

and much cooler to be seen in.




Uh... NO. The debate rages, but i doubt it.

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: minivan] #347064
06/16/09 06:47 AM
06/16/09 06:47 AM
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Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
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Quote:

I guess I should add more here..

Stock original HP exhaust manifolds with a new accurate exhaust system including the "hi flow" hemi mufflers.




That is exactly what i was talking about concerning restrictive exhaust systems. Thats about enough pipe and muffler for a 318 4bbl. If you're not attached to the stock look and sound and are still looking for some more efficiency later on, look into a TTI X-pipe system and headers for a 440 in your car. Its really a win win deal. More power, better efficiency, cool sound.

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: minivan] #347065
06/16/09 10:30 AM
06/16/09 10:30 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,060
Pendleton NY
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terzmo Offline
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Pendleton NY
I have a 950 procomp on a 498 stroker with 355's and around town I get over 10 UNLESS I jump on it and then the gas gauge goes into cardiac arrest....

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: terzmo] #347066
06/16/09 11:00 AM
06/16/09 11:00 AM
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Posts: 10,177
Someplace you aren't
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SomeCarGuy Offline
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The exhaust he has is fine for his app.

No way it is causing that low of a MPG.

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: Pale_Roader] #347067
06/16/09 11:49 AM
06/16/09 11:49 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline
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Quote:

Quote:


Well let's put things in perspective, shall we? In 76, all makes had about the worst engine combo's going, thanks to Federal and CA smog laws, so you are comparing your 76 smogger to your 68 Caddie?




When you get right down to it, a 76 is no different than a 72, heads, CR, slightly better in some areas, slightly worse in others. Both are about as inefficient as a big-block came. I should add that my 76 is essentially running 72 parts, intake, MP dist., the carb and exhaust are aftermarket, its been effectively de-smogged, etc. It has a six pack cam as well and was well tuned. So yeah, i'm comparing my nicely installed "76" to a 68 Cad 472 with a lot ov problems... in a car that is 1400lbs heavier with a windshield you could show drive-in movies on.





Good job ignoring the fact that your 76 440 has a whopping 7.5:1 of factory compression ratio. Compression = efficiency and anything out of the late 60's would have had a CR in the 9's most likely. Then you take a smogger 440 and add a bit of cam to it, well you didn't have much cylinder pressure to start with any any cam over a stock passenger car/lo-po cam will drag down mpg.

Quote:

The exhaust he has is fine for his app.

No way it is causing that low of a MPG.



Big block cars with granny gears in the rear could click off better mileage than that from the factory, and the factory gave you a worse exhaust than what you've got on there now.

Also everyone thinks their car is well-tuned until someone puts a wideband o2 on it. Not to mention making sure the distributor is curved properly, a smogger 440 won't want the same curve as a 10:1 440.

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #347068
06/16/09 12:03 PM
06/16/09 12:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,327
Toronto (YYZ) Ontario
YYZ Offline
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Toronto (YYZ) Ontario
Seems low.

In my last Challenger it would pull an easy 17+ mpg (US Gal) in town or on the highway and it wasn't fully broken in.

Rebuilt 71 440-6 with 10:1 compression
Comp Cams XE262 (not enough cam IMHO)
Factory 6 pack intake w/stock Holleys
3.23 SG axle
4-speed

Electronic ignition - I forget what I set the vacuum advance at, but as much as it would stand.

Carbs were pretty lean. Per the other guy's post, they were even worse for economy with the 'as delivered' jets & power valve and the car ran too hot. Fattening up the mixture helped.

If you got into it, yes you could see the fuel gauge move, but with normal driving it was quite decent on gas.

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: Pale_Roader] #347069
06/16/09 12:18 PM
06/16/09 12:18 PM

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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:

leave my SIX THOUSAND POUND Caddy svelte 5200lbs... then i'll be beating up on 300's and Imperials ALL day long. Hahahahaha





First of all, your (I'll refrain from added descriptors I'd love to add) Caddy doesn't weigh any 6000 lbs unless it's a hearse, and if it does weigh that much, two things:

you've got way too much bondo and lead aboard

and you're just plain lying about mileage figures

So I'll give you a BETTER example.

Years ago a friend and I fixed up THIS combo:

74 Dodge 4x4, yanked the 360 2bbl and installed a 440, essentially the combo would be equiv to stock 440 magnum. It would STILL kick your Caddy's ass, and got nearly 14 with the gearing in the p.u. in 2x4 and hubs kicked out

NOW THAT THING WEIGHED 6000 lbs!!!!

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #347070
06/16/09 12:20 PM
06/16/09 12:20 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,261
ILL
mark7171 Offline
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ILL
323" A body 4dr with 4 spd no O/D 3.23 gears= 14-16 mpg.

440" E body w/ 4 spd N/OD and 3.23 gears= 10-11mpg.

All well tuned street drivers. Using an 1 to 4 skip shift provies the best results for me.

Re: 440 fuel mileage... [Re: mark7171] #347071
06/16/09 01:04 PM
06/16/09 01:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
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minivan Offline OP
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minivan  Offline OP
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Eugene, Oregon
Again thanks to all for the comments on here. I am aware that I need to dial in a few things, just appreciate any ideas or thoughts..

I had an A12 super bee in High School ( 1973), so I remember bad mileage, but it was a 410 rear car also..

My current car was pulled out of a field in 1990.. The car was complete but needed a complete resto. The previous owners son told me it used to "pass everything on the road but the gas station"..

I am pretty sure with some carb and distributor work I can at least get 10-12 out of it...

I will disagree with the exhaust comments on here though.. I am 54 and I had plenty of cars "in the day" that had headers on them.. NEVER again on a street car.

A story.... In about 73, three of us were working on our "fast" cars.. I can't remember if were installing plugs, tuning carbs, or what, but were dirty, greasy, hot and tired... It was a saturday and we were getting ready for cruising and hot babes that night.. A friend ( who had some of the hottest cars I have ever been in) pulled up in a 65 corvette convertible he had just purchased.. 327, powerglide car.. I looked at him and said " what you going to do with that?"... He just smiled, while looking at the good looking brunette next to him, and said " were going to the beach".... think about it..

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