Something I always ponder...a daily driven gas mileage hot rod

That was "Project Econo Performer" [they got 26mpg from a 4000lb Monty]
They used 11:1 "claimer pistons" and a Crower Baja Torquemaster camshaft.

I think the engine was based on Bruce Crower's high mechanical compression ratio / low pressure efficiency engine theories. [which is basically an Atkinson Cycle engine that is similar to what is used in a modern Toyota Prius]

Project Econo Performer also played with long tube headers and dual exhausts, Torque converters, Rear end ratios etc
and I believe they got respectable 1/4 mile times from it. [14's]

 

283s are happy cruising at a little higher RPM. One of the smaller, 3.48 stroke engines might be better for an overdrive. (305, 267, 262)

Gary

 

A little better with a 3.08 gear.....

 

Yep! That's it.... Thanks....

 

You think? Maybe I am thinking wrong, but it seems like you would want a lower gear for around town commuting? I see how a ridiculously high gear would be great if a guy was commuting 50 miles on the highway. I usually like the old 55-64 GM rears, that look like miniature 9" rears. They have a 3.36 ratio that is a great all around gear.

 

There was an old thread on here that mentioned that article as well.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...e-a-old-style-carbed-v8-and-get-25-mpg.18592/

 

I'll have to dig through my archives.
https://nitroactive.net/products/se...m0HeJvNau3wP604wpjJaAoIG7RupTeNFxz0Lzxn1x334M

 

Have you looked at El Camino for sale lately?

They are either ragged out dogs for too much money or they are cared for decent rides for WAY too much money.

I'm not disagreeing with you. I was thinking along these lines with a 5.3.

 

There’s been a few in the area reasonable, one for 2k that needed interior work. Currently a decent one with a 90’s era lt1 for $6500. There’s plenty of high priced ones too.

 

Talked to a ford tech today
He likes the duratec engines but prefers the mustang eco boost

 

Good to know. I would want a normally aspirated engine for simplicity though.

 

Turbos engines are also simple. You can rout the air charge wherever yo can catch some air flow

 

yeah, I have been eyeballing the CT4V.

 

I worked at a Ford dealership as a tech from 2005-2014 and have been at mostly Ford fleets since. I don't ever remember seeing a duratec 2.3 ever fail or have major breakage. We had some duratec v6 failures but I can not think of a 2.3 failing.

You could always buy an early 2000s Ranger and swap in the whole drivetrain

 

Kinda what I am thinking.

 

It will be mostly back roads 45-65 mph. I have about 8 stop signs between my place and work. It's roughly 40 miles one way.

 

Yeah, but then I would live in town.
@NoSurf, how long are you in the car every day?

 

I'm in that town now. I moved here 30 years ago and the population was 6,000. Now it is 25,000. Time to leave.

2 year 9 months and I won't be commuting anymore.....

 

9 more months for me..... Can't wait!!!!!.....

 

You want economical, but you will also want some performance. You will also want some comfort if you are going to drive it 90 miles every work day.

Yes a light vehicle with a 4 cyl will be "peppy"............but I doubt a roadster will be cheap or comfortable for long daily drives in the sun or rain. Best something with a closed cab and A/C. My son had a 4 cyl S10 and I can tell you from experience that the dang thing just kept shifting up and down at highway speed and every grade. Annoying as hell.....and I like S10 trucks. If you get a manual trans, you will find that a small low torque engine will require shifting and shifting and shifting some more........especially if you have the A/C turned on.

The V6 S10s ....especially with a 5 speed don't have any of those problems and are pretty quick.....not hot rod quick but they will outrun soccer moms.

Moving along.........The easiest bang for the buck would be an S10 with a smallblock V8 and a 5 speed. You can find them easily with blown engines. Don't worry about headers and steering clearance. The LS is a wider V and is harder to install. I have one in my pole barn that I'm putting an LS3 with a 5 speed in......so I know it gets into a lot more parts changing ($$) for brackets and stuff.

The A/C will be a little challenging no matter which engine (LS /SB). I'd look for an engine out of a late 90s Chevy pick up and get the computer with it. You can get harnesses to adapt it.........or go with a Holley injection. Put that in place with a 5 speed and it will cruise and get good gas mileage as well. I like the old Square body but a decent later model is easier to find. Its best if you find one that already has a clutch pedal if going to run a manual trans.

Then slick the outside up a little if you want it to look hot roddy.

Get a used copy off Ebay "Tbi and TPI engine swapping" by Mike Knell and it will tell you everything you want to know.


Wish it was mine

 

Chris,
Install a Japanese "Grey Market" Toyota 1CT [1800cc] or 2CT [2000cc] diesel engine in it.
These engines were used in Japan in Corollas and Coronas [FWD] and also in Liteace and Townace vans [rwd]

They are simple to install ,only needing 1 wire to the pump solenoid [plus starter .temp, oil. alt wiring] plus the firewall filter and return line.
And "they run on the smell of an oily rag"

These small Jap diesels were a very popular conversion is Suzuki Samurais for off-roading [with a snorkel they can run underwater]

@sgtlethargic you could probably pick up a Jap Diesel cheaper than a Propane conversion for your Ranchero.
Back in 2008 I was playing with alternative fuels for a Mitsubishi Diesel [4d56-T] in a Pajero 4 x 4.


The alternative fuel was Waste ATF that I got for free from the local transmission shop that I cleaned and blended with gasoline at 90/10 ratio.
I travelled over 100k on "free" fuel [actually it cost the 10% gasoline content]
Here is a "cold upflow processor" that I made from 2 propane tanks and a compressor tank.


This ^^^ would dewater ,and separate the light from the heavy oils [and was closed-loop so there was zero spillage]
AND I needed to be disciplined enough to throw out the heavy oils/sludge

Understand there is no such thing as a "free lunch" ,I was swapping my effort for fuel.[it didn't make itself]

 

Retirement is the answer to everything, except since I’ve retired I drive more miles. But smiles to mile is greater!
I don’t think I could ever live in town again

Dan

 

???

Ben

 

Not in our country ,everybody wears their ethnic roots "with pride"
I have a friend that is Japanese that refers to himself as a "Jap" and all the British her call themselves "Poms"

The term "Jap" lost it's ethnic slur way back in the 70's when the Japanese started setting the standard for manufacturing quality.
The term in now a badge of honour. [the opposite to using Chinesium parts]

You need to visit downunder sometime [both Aussie and NZ] and you'll swear you'll never find a serious person in either country. The Aussies have us Kiwis beaten with their sense of humour .
The Aussie motto is "No worries mate!" ,and the Kiwi motto is "She'll be right Mate!"

Back on subject. A diesel engine would run on a "dead cat" if you could figure out how to squeeze it through the injectors [all hydrocabons have an autoignition point]
If you don't want to go down the ATF path ]cleaning it] try and find a cheap source of Kerosine or Aviation Jet fuel. [which is basically diesel] and add 10% engine oil to it for injector pump lubrication.

I have also used "bunker oil" for ship diesels! this needs preheating to help autoignition and viscousity. But can be blended with gasoline a bit .
If you're concerned about Gasoline content causing detonation, note the fuel is usually injected at [or after] TDC.
In old Mercedes diesel handbooks, they actually recommend adding gasoline to the diesel for winter blends.

Explaination above

 

In the 80's, I put a 283 with a small 4 bbl and a Saginaw 3 speed with overdrive in my Luv pickup. It got better highway milage than the 4 banger ever did.

Gary

 

You need to read this. It will make more sense then.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/dust-bowl-speed-shop-world-headquarters.1306720/

 

Right!?
I am so out of touch with any car made in the last 40 years.
I have a lot of repair experience with late model cars but I know absolutely nothing on how to make them function in something early.

 

Dang, Root! I read the WHOLE THING last night. Impressive. Color me ENVIOUS.

I like BBQ.

Ben

 

@Kerrynzl why blend atf with gasoline? I know plenty of people who run 100% atf in diesel with no noticeable change in performance or economy