Guys Im curious as to what kinda mileage numbers a reasonable shape 283/PG/3.36:1 rear combo would do in a 57 wagon ? Engine is a stock 185HP, 8.5:1 283 with a cast iron Vette dual plane, a Rochester 4G carb and s Delco single point dist. Right now at 65mph she sits on around 2900 rpm with those rear gears and the cast iron Glide. She seems to be in good shape, does'nt blow smoke and starts right up even if shes been sitting for a while. Anyone have a similar combo and what kinda mpg or Ltrs p/100 kms are you getting? Im thinking it may be the carb, but the dude I bought it from actually had it rebuilt and gone thru. Anything I need to watch out for? Mine's chewin thru the benzene atm and I think Im gonna need to nut it out so any info would be great !! Thanx.... Rat
Your driving style will have a huge effect on your mileage. I had a very similar 55' wagon 265-2bbl/PG and regularly got 20mpg. I also had a 67' El Camino with a 283-2bbl/3 speed that got 20mpg. I get about 20mpg with my coupe 350-2bbl/TH350 2.79 rear.
My old '62 Impala SS with a 10,000 mile 283/185HP, cast iron Turbo Glide, 3.36's, 600 Holley jetted as lean as I could get it and still have any power on a 327/300HP iron intake with full dual exhaust, 225/70-15 radials got a best of 16 MPG Hwy. That was on a 800 mile trip that was about 3/4 Interstate. Throw in any stop and go driving to speak of and it dropped to about 13-14. The Turbo Glide was the killer, a 200-4R would have made a world of difference in performance AND mileage.
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