How Many Miles to a Gallon Should A Big Ol' Road Hog Get?

I know some people are sensitive about sharing the mileage they get with their old cars, but I'm not one of those people. My '64 wagon has a big block 468 and is likely one of the heavier cars ever made. That being said, as far as I can tell I'm averaging somewhere between 6 and 8 miles a gallon. Is this a crazy mileage, like something might be wrong with my car crazy, or does that sound about right to you?

Also, any advice on improving mileage would be welcome.

 

That was the mileage my 460 powered Lincoln used to get.

 

My Cadillac Cp. Deville with a 500 got 12.

 

My old work van, 11k lbs got 12 mpg

 

This thread is likely to go downhill, but... I have had several 454 vehicles and every single one got 9mpg. It didn't really matter if it I was driving around town, beating on it or driving down the interstate. 9mpg. Every day of the week. The last one had a 42 gallon tank. Fill it up for $150 and drive about 375 miles? That vehicle is gone now...

I have heard people claim they have improved the mileage of one of these heavier full frame big block vehicles to 15-17 mpg, but the idea of improving mileage by 60-70% with any kind of exhaust, intake, carb or other basic changes is just a dream in my opinion.

If it were my car and I wanted to go cross country in it, I'd be putting a little 283 or 327 back in it.

 

I only get 8-12 with the 440 in my 3500 lb car, but NOBODY passes me...

 

Hot rodders complaining about gas mileage. It's the price of having all that fun.

 

My 66 Impala 396 wagon averaged 11 mpg.

 

Ya.. Price of having fun esp when you're feeding cylinders as big as basketballs. My 58 - 348 +.060 chugs the highway at right around 14-15 at 70, 3.36 gears and a TH350. Next year it'll get a 700R4 but step to 3.70 gears. I may pick up a mpg or two..

 

Majic, we talk about this all the time on the forum. The only info you gave was that it has a 468 engine and is " heavy ". I mean do you assume some of us actually has a crystal ball?

 

Hot Rods & Gas mileage should never be used in the same breath. HRP

 

I'm thinking you could ease the pain by selling me that great long roof, but I doubt that is the answer you were looking for.

 

<<< 460/4v/C6 - 8 or 9 mpg. I'm sure lead footing it has nothing to do with that number

 

In my original post I mentioned it was a '64 wagon...just like the one in my profile pic... so there.

 

I picked up my 64 Galaxie Convertible in Arkansas and drove it to LA, cruisin' the interstates, Rt66 and via the Grand Canyon, Zion NP, LV, etc.
Stock 390 auto - I got around 10mpg - it hurt every time I filled up. The rest of the time, I was livin' the dream.
Don't expect big motors with old-fashioned............ , sorry, traditional carbies to get mileage like a Prius. It ain't gunna happen.
That's not why we drive old cars, now, is it?

 

I am happy to see people being truthful.

 

This gets 15-16 mpg. 389 cubes, 650cfm 4bbl, 4-speed, ... averaging 70mph.




Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app

 

'69 440 mag in my 63 Belvidere would get 12 on a good day. That was with a T10 wide ratio and 323 posi. Went to about 9 with 390s.

 

Bome stock '60 Pontiac, not particularly driving for milage, 17 mpg highway all the time.

Granted that was a 2bbl carb, but an automatic trans and a 4000 lb car. 3.08 gear.

I've heard of guys going to Caddy or Pontiac big blocks in place of 454s just because they get a little better fuel milage. My 455 Grandville would get around 13.

 

i also have a 64' belair wagon and if i concerned myself with gas milage it would probably be a toyota truck right now!

 

I shouldn't have opened my mouth.

 

Pretty common for large displacement vehicles to get down around 10 mpg or less. You might better that with an overdrive on the highway, but otherwise it's pretty average.

 

Thanks, folks. I was asking more out of concern something might be wrong with my car and less about the concern something might be expensive. I have known all along this is an expensive hobby but I have never doubted for a moment it is worth it.

 

my 51 chevy has a new 235 and a 5 speed and it gets around 23 24 to a gallon on the free way and idk around town

 

You will.

That said, you might even want to run the 700 with the 3.36 gears for a little bit to see how you like it. Because you'll be going from a 2.52 first gear to a 3.06, you might be surprised.

 

The Kroozado, our 60 Ventura, gets 12-13, around 14 on the freeway at a steady 70 mph.
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Even with a 468 in. engine,I think you should be getting better than that. What jets are you running? What kind of carb? Whats your timing set at? What trans and final drive? how tall are the tires? These thing all effect mileage and no on has asked yet. Too steep a gear set,you lug the engine= bad mileage. Too fat a jet,same thing.

 

Mileage is something most people just gripe about, when in fact, most could improve their mileage. Yes there are laws in physics, but many ignore a dragging brake, tire pressures, cleaning/replacing filters, just keeping the vehicle clean. And big engines do not have to get really poor mileage. My Dad had a 28 foot Winnebago that weighed 17000 pounds with a 454 Chevy that would do slightly better than 10 overall (of course, most of the overall was highway use). I did remove the Qjet with original manifold, and installed an Offy intake with a genuine Carter AFB and fresh air intake, but it got about 9.3 before the change. We just sweated the maintenance. It CAN be done. Pay attention to the details.

Jon.

 

it does seem a little low, depending on cam and carb choice. I have a 427 with an ls6 454 cam, and a good exhaust, with a 3.54 rear and a 4 speed, and I pull about 8-9 mpg in my 59 El Camino.

 

The engine is bored .030 over, it has a built 350 turbo automatic transmission w/2500 stall, and an Edelbrock 750 4-barrel carb. It rides on 18" wheels.