Fuel Efficient model A

Not sure if it has been discussed before, but I was brainstorming about a model a build that would get good MPG. I'm not talking about dropping a Prius motor in it or anything, but something that has good power, good mpg, and ideally traditional
What would you do (engine, transmission, other items to make it lighter, etc?)

 

I got an idea..but its not really traditional so on that note//..I'll STFU

 

Since a Model A is already a lightweight car I don't think much of anything would have to be done to make it lighter. I''m thinking that a traditional styled small block with a 5-600 carb (maybe quadrajet), an overdrive transmission with 3.50-4.0 rearend, a conservative cam would not give somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 MPG if driven carefully. You could probably do better but would have to give up some performance. A 302 ford or a 305 Chevy would be my choice as a starting point.

Frank

 

oh no!!!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263907

good luck

 

Look for a nice little 4 cyl with a 4 or 5 speed trans. Maybe like a Ford Ranger pickup engine and trans, or one from a Mustang. Had a friend with a Mustang II (1976) with that setup. Not particularly swift, but pretty thrifty. Might be more swift in an A, Mustang II's were probably a lot heavier.

If you are worried about offending one of your pure traditionalist buddies, weld your hood shut.

 

Model A's have all the areodynamics of a piano crate. If mileage is the goal, no matter what the drivetrain, you will have to keep it in the slow lane.

 

Oh, come on, if a 1985 Chevy pickup can get close to 30 MPG on the highway by running a 6.2 diesel and overdrive, a Model A can get that kind of milage too.

I don't even think it has to be that small of a motor - you just want something that's high on low-end torque, and gear it up so your cruising speed is in the motor's sweet range. Pretty much the same rules that apply to economy in any car.

 

dont mean to sound like a penis here, but these threads pop up a few times a week lately since gas has gone up. But if you really are passionate about the cars, and the powerplants who gives a shit what gas costs really? we pay a pretty penny to build the cars we love and even a bigger penny if you want to keep it traditional and even more for traditional speed parts, so what if gas goes up, i'll still buy it to enjoy the one thing in life i enjoy most. maybe im weird

 

6 of us made a trip to Indy and back a couple week's ago all driving hot rods, one of them was an A pick up powered by a warmed over 302, 3 speed with OD and mid 3 series gears.
He averaged between 27-30 mpg during that trip..checked many time's throughout the trip of around 1500 miles because we couldn't believe it. The rest of us were getting anywhere from 14 (me) to high teens/low 20's.
A good tune with the right parts and you will have very respectable performance and sometimes mpg better than you even thought possible..
The biggest key to his truck is the OD and light weight. It dosn't take a lot to move it and at cruise speed he's just touching the gas..
Personally, i'd like to get good mileage from a hot rod, BUT if i don't i'm not gonna worry.. I have fun with them and i'd be happy to cut back on my beer money or stupid spending to enjoy them..

 

depends....mine has done low 20's , currently running mid 13's with weak valve springs in 2nd gear at 96 mph ...and can be driven everyday...a drilled visor would help some too.... one other thing ...the draft coming off of a road tractor from the side does strange things around 80 or so.... brandon

also do a search on the drving by vaccuum on here...helped me....

 

Is there someplace else you'd feel more comfortable sounding like a penis?







just kiddin'