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The Model T had a 200ci engine that probably turned a whole 3000 rpm if it was lucky, it did it by not going real fast and turning a bit torquey engine slowly. Mercury Turnpike Cruisers did the same thing in the late 50s, big, slow turning engines. BTW, the T didn't weigh very much, had 2 wheel brakes and a very low loss transmission, no real parasitic loss (no water, fuel or oil pump).
I believe you are referring to the late Smokey Yunick, one of the all time champion snake oil salesmen, he even conned NASCAR a couple of times, a 15/16 scale Chevelle and a car that he drove around the track after NASCAR couldn't find his extra fuel capacity. He threw the fuel cell in the back and drove around the track with it not hooked up then put in in his trailer and left.
Dang Bill! That guy was a squirrel,but , a crafty little bugger.
I know this, but when you consider that the average rush hour commute from southern Connecticut to Manhattan is at under 45 mph on smooth roads there's no reason why a "T" couldn't do it. (They were really ATV's given the roads they traveled)
3.2L isn't small for a commuter car these days.
Originally Posted by 85lebaront2
The Model T had a 200ci engine that probably turned a whole 3000 rpm if it was lucky, it did it by not going real fast and turning a bit torquey engine slowly. Mercury Turnpike Cruisers did the same thing in the late 50s, big, slow turning engines. BTW, the T didn't weigh very much, had 2 wheel brakes and a very low loss transmission, no real parasitic loss (no water, fuel or oil pump).
Yeah... Smokey was indeed a genius. Oh, & Bill... Smokey lived in Daytona Beach not Miami.
I knew that, but I think it was his super efficient car that was referred to, he never really managed to prove it and muttered about conspiracy when no one believed him.
Don't go to the bank with this yet, but Rusty got 14.1 MPG on the 110 mile trip up to see Dad today. Again, that is preliminary and is based on on tank, so it is not only subject to change but expected to change. this was essentially all highway driving, with speed limits ranging from 50 (10 miles) to 55 (15 miles) to 65 - during which I ran 62.
We'll go putt putting around this afternoon and the I'll head home, fill up, and do the averaging for the trip. But, at this point I'm pleased as the engine feels sorted out, the throttle is very crisp, and it is obvious the mileage is better. And, for reference, I believe Rusty got 12.2 on the exact same run with the Holley carb.
Don't go to the bank with this yet, but Rusty got 14.1 MPG on the 110 mile trip up to see Dad today. Again, that is preliminary and is based on on tank, so it is not only subject to change but expected to change. this was essentially all highway driving, with speed limits ranging from 50 (10 miles) to 55 (15 miles) to 65 - during which I ran 62.
We'll go putt putting around this afternoon and the I'll head home, fill up, and do the averaging for the trip. But, at this point I'm pleased as the engine feels sorted out, the throttle is very crisp, and it is obvious the mileage is better. And, for reference, I believe Rusty got 12.2 on the exact same run with the Holley carb.
So... are you going to keep the 1406 on Rusty or swap back to the Holley ?
I remember you saying something like that. But, I wasn't sure that this was still the plan since things can change.
It may well change, but that's the plan today. I could swap engines w/o cost, and if later I decide that Rusty's engine isn't cutting it I can get another M block and build what I want. I'd just have to find that block, and while Shaun is finding that difficult I don't think it'll be a problem here.
So, maybe I should keep my eyes open for a tired but otherwise virgin truck 400 and put it away just in case? Probably won't cost much now and that way I'd be ready, just in case. But by swapping engines now I at least push the ~$1000 cost down the road a few years. (You are reading my rationalization.)
But by swapping engines now I at least push the ~$1000 cost down the road a few years. (You are reading my rationalization.)
I tallied up the parts list for my eventual 400 build. No matter what I did, I couldn't get the grand total any cheaper than $1700. Then again, TMI pistons aren't cheap, and neither are quality parts.
Keep in mind that with a .060 over block, if something happens to the block, it's done for. Sleeves, as you've seen in my thread, aren't worth the money for such a common block. At least with a virgin block, you'll still have one rebuild left after the initial rebuild if you have to go .030 over.