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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 4 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 4 | With gas prices going sky high, I was wondering what my 1954 3100 inline 6, single barrel Rochester, 4 speed should get when it's ready to drive? I would like to hear what some of you are getting.
Last edited by rogerh3; 06/08/2008 7:29 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | There are a lot of variables to determine how you'll do. Somewhere between 8 and 18 mpg would be my guess.
If it runs poorly and isn't tuned well you'll get rotten mileage.
If its in good condition, tuned for maximum efficency and you drive it carefully you could get 18.
My '55 1st GMC Suburban with a GMC 270 averages 14 driving a mixed highway/surface street commute.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 707 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 707 | A whole lot depends on final drive ratio and tire tread height. If you have the original 4.10 and current 15" rubber it will be appalling because your engine will be screaming as soon as it gets on a highway. Light to light it will be fine.
If, on the other hand, you have a higher (lower numeric) ratio such as a 3.55 or an overdrive transmission, or 7.00 x 16" tires, or a combination of the above, your fuel economy could easily top 20 mpg.
1951 3800 Be the change you want to see. -hotshoe
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | With the original 1/2 ton 3.90 1954 rear-end and ~30" diameter tires, I got 18 mpg going to Baltimore and back two years ago.
I use to regularly average 15 mpg and rarely went below 12 mpg. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,867 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,867 | While everyone is being conscience about how they drive, Im driving the old truck more and more.
If Im going to be bent over every time I decide to fill up, Im darn well gonna enjoy it! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,703 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,703 | right now the best the 52 wil do is around 18 if I keep myself dissaplined and run it right, now when the the erge to FLOG it an kick the 4 barrell in an run her up to 80 superceedes common sence...well DO THE MATH...lol...but runnin to work daily it does suprisingly well until my BAD half takes over an wants too hear the pipes,pass a few new cars or just burn some tire.
Tim | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 | As hotshoe36 posted,your final drive means a whole lot.If your gonna run with 3:90 or 4;11 gears in the rear and a straight 4 speed trans. you wioll not get good mileage. Change the reaend out to 3:08 gears, or put in an overdrive trans. and your mileage will improve.In my 55 I am running a 350 built engine,coupled to a 700R4 trans. and 3:90 rear and getting 20 MPG.The 700R4 overdrive is turning the rear at about .78 to 1 ratio. Whereas with a straight 3 or 4speed the ratio is to 1. | | |
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