I have been running my Maverick for about four days now and it seems to be getting really horrible mileage. I wouldn't care if I were running a V8 but I'm not. I have the 200. The smog equipment is disconnected, the car has been timed but still seems to idle a little on the rough side. Could it be the mix?
Find out if the carb needs to be rebuilt. If it does, you'd be surprised how much it will help. If it has the points, get rid of em and swap in any electronic ignition set up you can get. and of course, it also depends how heavy your foot is.
Ok hold on,,,,,,,,, Dont mean to change topics,,,,,,,, but Ive heard that 302s can be more efficent than the 200s.... Is this true?,,,, how can I modify a 200 or a 302 for efficency? AND>>>> Is it at all possible to drop a 4 cylinder engine from a 75-77 Mustang 2 into a Maverick.. ( more specifficly a 1970 grabber) ( i know the 1970 had a smaller trany well) sooo its harder to put different transmissions in them) Was wondering because I`m a teen (in school) wich = not alot of money I have a 302....... sooo id prefer to keep it in the car,,,,, Would an EFI kit do the trick??? Do you guys know of any good ones???
You would be soooooo much better off buying a car that needs NOTHING. All the things you are talking about are either: A. Hard to do with no experience or money B. Impossible if you have $4500 to spend....you should easily be able to find a car that the only thing it needs is a driver.
Make sure your choke opens when the engine warms up. If your carb has a vacuum operated power valve,it will use a ton of gas if the diaphram is bad. Check your front pulley timing marks and make sure the tdc mark hasn't slipped. The old harmonic balancers were prone to do this. To check it,take out your #1 spark plug,turn the crankshaft with a wrench or ratchet and socket,to where the 0 or tdc marks line up to the pointer. Look in the spark plug hole with a flashlight and slowly turn the engine back and forth with the wrench. You will see the piston rise and fall. Looking at the piston turn the engine until you see the piston move to it's uppermost point and then look at the timing marks again. They should line up to 0 or tdc again. If they don't,the damper has slipped. You can make a new mark for tdc with chark or a marker so you can set your timing accurately. P.S. You should get at least 15-18 mpg with auto trans or 19-20 with standard trans.
FOr the time and effort to put a 4cyl in a Mav you'd be better off just to drive the Mustang with the 4 already in it. 40 year old Mavs arent real good daily drivers.
Thanks for that bit-o-info. I will get on that tonight. 15 to 18 miles to the gallon! Not gonna be saving and money on gas with those numbers. I told my wife this and she just shrugged her shoulders. She just wants me to be happy and I gotta say thats pretty rad. I'm thinking about getting her a classic now too
Ive managed to get 28-30 in city driving before with my 200. Its even worn out and everything. You just have to keep up with the maintenance and these engines will treat you good. Another huge factor in mileage is the actual driver, the way you drive can affect your fuel economy.
That is a realistic figure. Iv'e done that too. It was with a 64 Falcon with a 200 and a 3spd standard trans. The figures I gave "uglyrhino" are minimums. The main point,as you said,is the way you drive! The easier you go on the gas pedal,the better your mileage will be!
I also should add that it wasnt stock. It has had a duraspark conversion, running a super stock coil. Its got adjustable rocker arms on it. And a free flowing dual exhaust system. Its in a 66 Falcon
I see your point.I do have a lead foot but I'm still only getting, five miles to the gallon. I got under the back of the car today and I smell gas so maybe I have a leak.
If you smell gas find out why before you have a fire! I would suggest replacing all your fuel hoses every few years. It's cheap insurance + your chances of being stranded are a lot less!
