It's been a long time since I made my last post. Feels good to be back. Here is my question.

I just finished rebuilding the motor on my '70 Chevelle. It runs really well and is a blast to drive. Unfortunately, it only gets about 10 mpg. This really does not bother me, but I am in need of a daily driver to commute back and forth to work. Round trip comes to about 90 miles a day. One can see where nine mpg can hurt a little at the pump.

I was thinking about finding an early model Chevelle or Camaro that has a straight six in it. I'm sure someone out there owns one that can give me some insight on mileage, maintainability, etc.

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks.
Chuck

You don't need to give up all your fun to get better mileage. Alot of it is in the gearing you have. My SS396 Chevelle with 373's gets about 10-11 mpg. My 65 Vette with a 350 and 308 rear gets 17+ mpg on the highway. Fun to cruise down the highway, 70MPH at 2800RPM

If you want to use your car as a daily driver then think about a rear gear change. Will also add a longer life to you engine as it won't be reving as high on the drive to work.

Won't be a good drag car but what a top end...

Just my .02

Bill

Chuck,

I drive my 65 with a 230 every day. Mileage varies between high teens and low 20s. My driving includes quite a bit of city driving and short trips. To be perfectly honest, I don't keep that close an eye on the mileage,
and don't really know what the mpg would be for optimal steady cruising conditions.

You might want to look into an overdrive setup, if your spending a lot of time on the
interstate going 70+ mph. My car gets a bit loud, and I'm sure mileage suffers at higher
speeds (3.36:1 rear gears).

Reliable and easy to maintain. I rarely push the motor hard, since it won't go that fast anyway. I've been driving it for 17 years; its the only car I've every had. I've stuck with this car and motor, because it has never given me any reason to do otherwise. Also, plenty of elbow room in the engine compartment -- you won't hear anyone complain about hard-to-change spark plugs on an L6!

Having said all that, I personally would not base my decision on a few mpgs. A 283 or 307 small block isn't too far behind the L6 in mileage, and a lot depends on driving habits and gearing. I'm a bit attached to my L6 because it has served me so well for so long. My folks bought the car new the year before I was born; it brought me home from the hospital as an infant. Then Sunday school, little league, high school, college, and well beyond... --- Carl

That's about right. My 72 has a 350/350TH 4 bbl. and I get about 9-10 mpg in the city and 15-16 mpg on the highway. I'm assuming your carb is adjusted correctly, so just grin a bear it! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

Hey Chuck,

If your car has an automatic why not consider swapping to an overdrive tranny? It'll be a lot cheaper than maintaining another car plus it'll make your present Chevelle much more enjoyable. I did it with my '69 Camaro because I have the same type of commute as yourself.

One simple change you can make to improve fuel economy for free:
Reconnect the vacuum advance if it's disconnected.

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Fred Aldrich
Web Site: www.GeoCities.com/~69_chevelle (http://www.GeoCities.com/~69_chevelle)

Vacuum advance is connected. I did check it before the post, though.

I have been leaning toward a 700-R4, or even a 6 speed ($$). This change may happen in the late fall. It would be an awesome Christmas present, don't you think?

I have a straight six '67 Malibu sport coupe. With the 250, Powerglide & 3.08s it has consistantly delivered 30 imperial or 26 U.S. mpg. that is steady state on the highway around 60 or so. The car has no power accessories, is stone-stock and rolls on stock size tires. I also ditched the bias-plys for radials whitch increases mileage some.I was flabergasted at finding this, as I only expected high teens to low 20s.

I have a 69 El Camino, SS/396, 325hp.
Edelbrock intake
Edelbrock Q-Jet
TH400
A/C
PS
273 gear
no headers
17.5 mpg @ 60 mph.

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ACES #2637
TEAM CHEVELLE #69