Nut from Niagara...

GasSavers_RoadWarrior · 02-25-2008, 06:05 AM

Hi folks,

I've been an "MPGer" for a few years, usually finding myself stymied from serious experimentation by just keeping older vehicles rolling. i.e. repairs and maintenance suck up the time and funds. I'm full of crazy ideas, and hope to put some of them into action. I'm also an admirer of creative thinking and think the "Why don't they do that at the factory?" argument is naive and silly. However, I still will call BS on the obvious snakeoil, but I'm willing to listen if there is some real theory behind it.

I majored in Physics, so have a grasp of the fundamentals in many areas, been wrenching my own cars since I could help my Dad, and know enough about everything to be dangerous.

Folks who're registered on mpgresearch or browse there might have bumped into me before *wave*

Current vehicles.

'88 Plymouth Voyager, 3.0 6G72 V6, 3 speed A670 Auto. It's the old faithful box on wheels, wonderful practical vehicle, but needs help with it's drinking problem. Current mods are shift kit in the tranny plus fill of UTF, and side gapped plugs. Previous best was 27-28mpg* on long runs, and getting tank averages of 23mpg. It was sitting for a few months before I got a chance to rebuild the front end, and get it going again and did those mods, unfortunately it seems to have picked up some other problems during that time which I am still chasing down, the thermostat is sticking and I'm suspicious of the O2 sensor and coil, so it's not up to it's previous performance yet.

(* US MPG, calculated by refilling tank until pump cuts.)

'95 Ford Escort Wagon (US model) This was to be my econobox, needed one with an auto so my wife could drive it. Swift/Metros, Festivas etc seem to have really sucky auto boxes, so thought I may as well go for an Escort. I was quite delighted with it, walmart 0W30 synth, airhog filter and a good tune up had it turning in consistant 32-34MPG tanks, and I hit a few 36es and one 38, seemed to be pushing towards 40, and then blew the headgasket.... that was a while back. Due to some truly exasperating circumstances, it's sitting headless in the driveway still waiting for spring to get here so I can work on it. Hoping to do some work to the head to improve things.

So, got a ton of plans for both vehicles, strangely it might work out that the Voyager can outMPG the Escort, due to some quirk of design that might let me hack up a workable displacement on demand system, but then the Escort motor might be more amenable to a variable valve timing scheme I'm thinking about. Talking about the motors, but I do plan an attack from all sides, reducing rolling resistance, improving aerodynamics, the works.

So, signing up to join in the discussions here, to pick up some hints and get feedback on my plans.

Also interested in alternative energy and alternative fuels, conventional or otherwise.

So, hi to all,

Road Warrior

Gary Palmer · 02-26-2008, 10:22 AM

Welcome to gassavers. On your van, when you get around to getting a newer model, the 3.8 L engine and a 4 speed auto work really well. I had the 3.0 at one time, then the 3.3 and not the 3.8. The 3.8 gives you enough umph to move without unduly killing the mileage.

GasSavers_silvergt · 02-26-2008, 12:21 PM

Welcome im from Buffalo,NY and work for Standard Auto Wreckers which is based in Toronto,CAN but i work in the niagara falls plant.

GasSavers_RoadWarrior · 02-26-2008, 08:31 PM

Hi, thanks for the welcomes.

Gary, I'm still hugely suspicious of many issues with the later vans, strut tower rot, 4 speed failures, wacky electrics... I really like the look of the 4.0 and 6 speed combo in the '08s though, have been hearing that it gets good highway mpg, I think it's that the motor will "lug" well at low rpm, meaning you can get nice numbers if you keep your foot out of it.

silvergt, I'm always meaning to take a run up to the Toronto operation's "Free parts" days. Either seem to be out of cash or time every time they're on though.

The Toecutter · 03-02-2008, 04:03 PM

I love your username.

GasSavers_RoadWarrior · 03-02-2008, 04:25 PM

I got the name but I'm scared, it's that rat circus out there, I'm beginning to enjoy it. Look, any longer out on that road and I'm one of them, a terminal psychotic, except that I've got this mpg sticker that says that I'm one of the good guys...

or maybe "I'm just here for the gasoline."