miles per gallon

[drnittler]

For my 61 Lark, 6 cyl OHV, automatic, driving at 50 mph, what should my miles per gallon be? Any suggestions on using Stabol or lead additative? Thanks.

David G. Nittler

[tbredehoft]

I use any lead additive I find. I recently found one in a 12 oz bottle that takes one oz per tank full, rather than 6 oz. Cheaper per tankful by a bunch.

My 60 Lark flathead six with OD at one point got 29.25 on an interstate. I couldn't have been going 50, don't know what you'd expect with an automatic.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 564 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[JDP]

Never used a additive, no need for it unless you are towing a load all day.

JDP/Maryland
"I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."
Thomas Jefferson

[drnittler]

Thanks for the reply. The best MPG I get is 16-18..Is that ok?

David G. Nittler

[jackb]

..I'd say 16-18 mpg is good, especially on flat ground. If you get into prolonged hilly terrain, expect less...

[54-61-62]

quote:Originally posted by drnittler

Thanks for the reply. The best MPG I get is 16-18..Is that ok?

David G. Nittler

I once I had 62 lark with OHV six and automatic and a 3.31 rear axle. Best I could ever get out of that thing was 19 highway. City MPG was considerably less due to how much one had to 'lay into it' to get rolling with the 3.31 rear axle.

[61Lark]

When I used to drive my 61 Lark 2dr wagon daily during college I got around 21-22 mpg. It has a OHV 6 with 3spd OD and 4.11 gears.

Nick

[bailsout]

My 58 Scotsman, new, was advertised at 29 mpg with flathead 6 and 3spd w/overdrive. 95,000 miles later I could only get 21mpg at 65 mph on the interstate. I thought the scotsman would be heavier than a lark but maybe not much since it was a pretty spartan machine for its size. Are the old automatics that inefficient? I'm wondering what my recently acquired 62 daytona with v8-2brl will do with an automatic. I just started working on it and being that it seems so much more compact than the scotsman I kind of thought that the economy would be pretty good. Maybe not.

[259man]

In my '60 Lark, I average around 13-15 mpg overall. If I'm lucky, I'll get in the 18-19 on the highway. I can live with mileage like that, but I sure wish I could do better!

This is with a 259 3-speed (no OD) and a 3:31 axle ratio.


Tom
1960 Lark VIII
1962 Lark Cruiser

[StudeRich]

That 18-19 Highway MPG could easily increase to 22-26 or more if you added Overdrive!

quote:Originally posted by 259man

In my '60 Lark, I average around 13-15 mpg overall. If I'm lucky, I'll get in the 18-19 on the highway.

StudeRich at Studebakers Northwest -Ferndale,WA

[StudeRich]

I am quite sure that the Mobilgas Economy Run was NOT run only on 70 MPH Interstates with sustained high speeds of 65 MPH! In 1958!
To get those numbers you need to drive at 45 MPH!

quote:Originally posted by bailsout

My 58 Scotsman, new, was advertised at 29 mpg with flathead 6 and 3spd w/overdrive.

[JimmieD]

Though they can seem a bit 'hokey' the single greatest aid to best mileage is a vacuum gauge! I have all manner of driving experience and am extremely 'in touch' with my vehicles and my vacuum gauge says I'm a liar! Amazing to watch the actual display of what's REALLY happening with your right foot. Not hard at all to pick up 10%-20% better mileage by watching that gauge indicating your true manifold vacuum, and therefore fuel intake.

What's most surprising is using one on a later vehicle with cruise control. That shows that in fact the electronic control isn't your best friend at all for optimum mileage! I NEVER use cruise control on my big '90 truck anymore because I can't afford it.

Also they're fairly cheap and can be easily changed to another vehicle if you sell.

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