So I'm getting about 8MPG in the city. I dont drive like a maniac more than maybe WOT from a stop once a week (give or take ). I filled up my tank just 2 days ago and i'm already half a tank down.

I'm sure I have a leak somewhere because when i go to my car in the morning i can see a lil dripping spots, and it's gotta be gas because it's not green for coolant, doesnt look like oil on my finger, isnt red for tranny fluid (though some tranny fluid is clear?) and it doesnt smell like pig butt, so it cant be tranny fluid... so that leaves me with the assumption of gas.

Anyways, besides this leak, is there anything i can do to improve gas mileage? I did spark plugs, plug wires, O2's, ECTS, Cat, cap, rotor, synthetic switch, all less than 1,000 miles ago when I got the car. On Thursday I'm changing the PVC (PCV?) valve, and the fuel filter.

Any other things that I could do to really improve my gas mileage? this is killing me really. it's my daily driver, and i'm trying to save for college along w/ pay for gas, food and other bills... even yet I still refuse to give up my V8 -grasps onto engine like a kid on a lollipop- MINE.

Thanks in advanced guys.

 

First, I'll try not to wonder too much about what qualifications you might have to be able to use the aroma of "pig butt" as a comparative reference. It just isn't worth it.

If the leak is indeed fuel, you should be able to detect its distinctive odor.

Anyway, start by tracking down and repairing that leak. If it is fuel, you are probably losing a lot more than you might think, since most of it will evaporate before you see the puddle or spots.

Next, perhaps your first "mod" should be a new disstributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, and good ignition wires. A clean air filter and working EVAP system and filler cap can save quite a bit of gasoline as well. It's estimated that 13 million gallons of gasoline evaporate every year, never being used to make power - only pollution. Try not to contribute too much to that total, or your wallet will be lighter (not a good way to increase driving efficiency).

A quick check of the MC solenoid and TPS on the E4ME carb would be a good idea. as well. And if the oxygen sensor is not less than 30,000 miles old, you might want to consider replacing it.

 

Thanks Vader, what's an MC Solenoid though? Sounds familiar, guess I'll do a search. By no mods I meant that I had done no replacement of factory parts with aftermarket heh. Already done a full tune-up, which did include all those that you mentioned. (air filter, o2's, plugs, wires, cap, rotor). I have tommorow off so I'll run the car up on ramps and take a dry rag to the fuel lines and see if I can pin point it.

I'll keep yah posted

 

MC=Mixture Control

 

i was getting 8mpg on the highway with the stock q-jet, swaped the carb for an edlebrock 600 or 650 cfm (can't remember right now) and got 19 mpg. after going to the dyno and getting it tuned (carb was a little rich) and new plugs, plug wires, cap/rotor and coil its getting 23 mpg

this is with a rebuilt 305 and auto tranny, only mod is a trans-go shift kit and edlebrock intake manifold

 

I would suggest rebuilding the carb, the Qjets seem to need it after awhile. We had an 87 Qjet car. It was like night and day after the carb rebuild. I would suggest trying that.

 

wow you were diggin' through posts! hehe. Anyways, I got around to changing out the PVC valve and that + air in the tires = 14MPG in the city. I would love to rebuild the QJet, but I hear too many horror stories of "uh oh, screwed up the rebuild on my carb"

 

rebuilding a qjet is simple...if you leave the linkages alone and just replace the internal parts

the run the casting through the dishwasher and its good as new

 

the q-jet looks kinda complicated with all that crap on it, so i didn't want to mess with it, also wanted to junk the computer and ended up getting the edlebrock for free (just needed a rebuild and rejet). the edlebrock was dead simple to rebuild and i'm very happy with it

 

Pour a bottle of injectors cleaner in the gas tank and check if the spark plugs have good blue spark. The car should idle at 850 RPM in Parking and 750 RPM in Reverse or Drive.