Hello, My first 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery Flathead had an unusual option. It ran well, never leaked any oil, the motor was always clean of any gunk or oil deposits, the concrete driveway parking space at home was spotless and for the first time, was tuned by our neighborhood Flathead expert mechanic. After the initial tune, it was an immaculate sounding and looking sedan delivery. we used the cheapest gas available and put in the full tank. It probably held 14 gallons. We also filled up two gallon steel containers for reclaimed oil for the trip 60+ miles down the coastline, stopping at various surf spots to check out the waves and swell. If it was good 3-5 feet on our surf spot checks, then the continued drive deep into the Orange County Coastal spots was called for our trip. There was a lot of stop and go, shut off and start again scenarios. We were in no hurry, as it was still slightly dark and we were usually the only ones in parking lots. So, why did I fill up the gas tank and the two gallon steel containers of reclaimed oil? The motor never smoked or leaked any oil. It ran great before and after the mechanic’s initial tune up. So, why the need for 2 gallons of reclaimed oil? For some unknown reason, the Flathead motor looked clean, sounded perfect, and did not leak oil anywhere. It was normal coming out of the exhaust and ran perfectly. The only thing it did was used oil (a quart a week, then more). I had the expert Flathead mechanic look it over and asked plenty of questions. He was stumped. He wanted to take apart the motor and rebuilt every part or use new parts when necessary. I could not afford a rebuild, let alone having my hot rod out of commission for at least a week or longer. So, I just kept putting in gas and continued the checking on the oil. Jnaki At the time, gas mileage was not a problem as gas was relatively inexpensive and those that went to the surf spots with me pitched in enough money to get a full tank of gas at the beginning. not bad for door to door service to and from some of the best beaches in So Cal. So, for the 100+ mile round trip to south San Clemente near Camp Pendleton Marine Base, we filled up the gas tank in Long Beach and put in as much reclaimed oil as necessary. Then prior to coming home in the late afternoon, we would check the oil and put in another gallon for the long road trip home. By the end of the school week, it was time to put in more oil, etc. The gas usage was about the same. 14 gallons and driving 100+ miles equates to bout 7+ mpg. At the time, there was no concern as our friends pitched in for gas to and from the 100+ mile road trip. Thinking about how we drove, high speed down the El Morro Beach sloping PCH highway to get going as fast as we could. The goal was to have enough power to go up the next steep grade into Laguna Beach, without having to downshift. Needless to say, with a full load of surfboards, teenagers, and beach stuff, the flathead did not have enough power to easily cruise up steep climbing hills and grades of highways. We conserved on our Dana Point coasting contest on PCH and doing as well as possible with what low power we had from the Flathead, it worked out well for me as a teenager. The 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery was a hit at our high school, cruising around, and definitely at the beach spots, as it was the most unusual surf transportation in the parking areas. It ran well, except for the mystery oil situation, and everyone liked the sedan delivery, as it was different. (Well, most everyone except for parents of girls that I knew. WHAT IS THAT IN OUR DRIVEWAY? YOU ARE GOING TO THE MOVIES IN THAT? a surf movie, no less... ) Those were first time events and the next cruise night the pristine, 1958 black Impala showed up in the "hoity-toity" driveways to satisfied weary moms and dads.
I had a Pontiac 455 in an ot '72 LeMans that got 19 mpg driving across the country. Ran a 2.75 Ford 9" and a switch pitch TH400. It made lots of torque, so it didn't mind the tall rear axle.
I have never monitored milage, but on a recent trip, I was playing around with different carbs, and when I pulled the air filter off on a car with no hood (on a windy day) the flathead used twice the gas to fill up after. I read somewhere on here that with no filter and no hood that the fuel will get pushed through more and not get used efficiently. Does anyone know if this is true, or had any of their own experiences ? Thanks
The Jalopy Journal
