I made the trip to Orlando yesterday.  I got a whopping 13.12 miles per gallon!  That's a good as I get without overdrive!  I guess I'll take a look at the vacuum at cruising RPM when I get back.  I was hoping for at least 15 but expecting around 18.  I didn't have  single problem on the way.  Hopefuly my curse of not making it out of Georgia is finnished.

There's this one spot just north of Ocala where it's just flat for about 2 miles.  Traffic was heavy but I imagined what it must be like to be Charlie at Bonneville.  If the traffic wasn't so heavy I may not have been imagining so much! 

Lawrenceville, GA

BTW, where did you get a cam with 112 of LSA? That's not a typical Y-block LSA number.

Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho

Way to go Charlie, it's nine months till Columbus - when do you think you should leave?

  Dennis in Lititz PA

      Some of the Motor homes I've been driving lately to make a buck seem to get the same mileage in direct (3rd) into a head wind as they do in 4th direct (OD). These are fuel injected. The carb version should be moreso. They all seem to be happiest around 2000 to 2300. as Ted said. 

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

The cam is a grind sold by Mummert years ago as the repro F-code cam.  I think it's been determined since that it's not the F-code grind.  It's a good cam.  Sounds nice at idle.  Not the best choice for a truck that will do truck work, though.

If I leave next week I think it will make it to Columbus

I have a lot planned for the truck this year.  But unlike last year, with the floor pan and all, it will be mostly familiar territory.  3 major projects.  One will be done before May.

Lawrenceville, GA

Charlie, what was your cruising RPM on the trip? What is your current rear end ratio? My Van has a 3.90 rear axle and AOD. When I pull my travel trailer in overdrive on a flat road my fuel mileage gets worse. The RPM range is a bit too high (?) and it make the engine work too hard to maintain the speed. Dropping out of overdrive increases the mileage. I think if I had a 4.11 gear the overdrive might work ok.

If you RPM is too low you need to shift down a gear or change the rear axle. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

During this trip I was at about 2000rpm most of the way.  I feel like it's definitely turning too slow for the engine's power band.  The final drive ratio is an unconfirmed 3.70.

I'm going to see what's available for overdrive ratios for the tranny.  I'd like not to get it out of a rear end change as that will affect city driving as well.

Lawrenceville, GA

Charlie,

       Maybe, maybe not. You'll shift up more quickly but I suspect the in town mileage would be unaffected.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Whats the highway RPM in 4th gear? Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I didn't look during the trip.  When I made the trip several years ago, with the 3 speed, I think it was 3500ish.  When I attempted to make it to Columbus 2 years ago it seemed about the same to keep up with traffic.  I'd say definitely between 3500 and 4000 in 4th.  I'll take a look on the way back.  That about works out with the 37% overdrive.

I'll do some expirimenting with smaller tires before I decide which way I'll go on gearing.  If city milage is not affected then I will not hesitate to go shorter in the rear.  The axle is the next and last thing in the driveline to get attention.

Lawrenceville, GA