1976 Country Squire Performance

There's no reason this wagon can't get 15-20 MPG if set up right, and he keeps his foot out of it!!
Even my '90 suburban with a 350 averages 16, and has 185k miles!
Hell, my 396 2dr wagon with 3:55's, 3000 coverter + T-400 got 19 on the hwgy, and would run 12:20's!! Without lockup!!
The more efficient the motor runs, the more performance you get!
Look at the new Camaros and Mustangs getting 30+!!

 

How much does your wagon weigh?

The new camaros and mustangs are not really comparable technology-wise to mid 70s cars with big blocks.

I'm pretty sure that once the AOD is on there, the carb is tuned right, the weight is reduced by 500+ lbs, and a few other tweaks are made the highway miles will be OK.

 

The Gretchen I knew had a nice sway...

I thought mis-read (CRS - Can't Read Speedyily) the ratio boost. I thought it was a boost from a 3.05:1.

Rear sway bars... I'd look for a setup on a Cop cruiser, and grab the front one as well. If she gets too stiff in the back, the front end won't take too kindly to a hard turn or swerve. I've got a much lighter wagon than yours, but I've got the 1.125 (1-1/8") V8 swaybar. Normal is 1" on sedans, and 1-1/16" on 6-banger Fox wagons. She rides like she's glued to the pavement, and flat on turns at even 30 MPH, in town.

Your year was a popular model year for Highway Patrol cars, wasn't it? Mercury or Ford.

 

Current gear is 3.05:1 going up to 3.55:1 so yeah -- top speed down, fuel efficiency down, torque (towing and acceleration) up. Hopefully going with overdrive the highway MPG will stay the same.

Overall RPM is going up ~18% due to lowering rear gear from (3.05 to 3.55) (example is 2,360RPM instead of 2,000)

First gear RPM is going up an additional ~15% using a 2.84 gear instead of the 2.46. (example again is 2000*1.18*1.15=2,714)
second gear RPM is going up by ~6% using a 1.5 instead of 1.46 (example again is 2000*1.18*1.06=2,500)
3rd stays the same (2,360RPM)
OD will reduce the rpms of the engine by 30% at highway cruising speed (example 2000*1.18*0.7=1,650)

Someone check that maths for me -- but that is what I thought it all means. :confused:

 

Are you using an adapter to bolt the AOD up to the 460? As far as I know AOD's only came with the small block bellhousing pattern.

What kind of TV setup are you going with rod or cable?

Not sure why your mechanic is pushing for the Holley over the Edelbrock. Both are relatively easy to work on. I personally prefer the Edelbrock, but if you are going to get into that discussion you might as well start talking about religion and politics too.

Definitely no need for the double pumper. Are you sure it is a double pumper and not just a dual feed carb? Not sure if you can even get a 750CFM 4160 single feed carb.

 

Yes, using an adapter bell housing that is made specifically to bolt up to the 460.

I think my mechanic is pushing Holley because he is a "Ford" guy...a full on Chevy hater -- Calvin peeing on the bowtie and everything.

I might just forego the holley/edelbrock situation and put in one of the EZ EFI systems. won't make much of a difference, except for it will allow me to crank easier in winter and install a remote starter.

 

Will be watching this with interest. I have often wondered if a closed loop EFI set up wouldn't go a long way toward improving hwy mileage while retaining power.

mike

 

Mine was a older [but new] 780 that I converted to dual inlet, and had 68 + 88 jets in it.
Went through it about 5 times before I was satisfied! [squirters, 100 cc pump, acc. pump cams, jetting, etc.]
On a 396, with a torquer, 2" spacer, and a Accell distrubitor!
Holley's are infinatly adjustable, but easy to get lost in!!
I think more compression would help just a lot!!

 

The compression is already at 10:1. I don't mind using 93 octane at 8mpg city driving -- but there is no way i am going to racing fuel.

We'll see how Grrretchen does with the new transmission and rear gear. The transmission is ready to go -- the bellhousing was supposed to get here end of January...

As far as the EX-EFI system, that's going to be $2k easily. I'll be doing about twelvety-two other things before the EFI (steering, suspension, all disc brakes, 17" rims, weatherstrip replacement, interior door panel refab, etc etc etc.) It will likely be the last thing i do prior to painting...should be about 2014/15 when Grrretchen is completely finished.