<VV> Looking for a fuel flow sender or MPG gauge for carb engine, not EFI...

[Larry Forman]

Hi Frank,
OK, thanks for the advice.   Of course we all have an average MPG 
calculator that only needs a pencil and paper.   I was specifically 
looking for something instantaneous so I could make minor changes and 
hopefully know which is better.   I understand readings might be all 
over the map, but under some controlled conditions I might be able to 
make improvements.  It would tell me things like at a given speed, is it 
better when going up hill to drop down a gear or leave it in the higher 
gear.   A vacuum gauge cannot tell me which is the better alternative.

Also, thanks for the Innovate advice as I DO have one of those and the 
tail pipe adapter.   I have not yet used it for this vehicle and it has 
been years since I used it at all, so I need to check that it will work 
with my current laptop and maybe get a port adapter.

My thoughts to evaluate under controlled conditions things like removal 
of the air dam, addition of a cold ram air for the carb, and once the 
front air suspension is complete, vehicle height changes.   I found a 
great fuel mileage site:  ECOmodder.com, where they are VERY involved 
with all types of fuel mileage improvement.   They have a very slick 
approach for calculating coefficient of drag and rolling resistance by 
simply allowing the vehicle to slow down with three runs in each 
direction and by inputting the slow down data, calculate the answers.   
That way you can see the effects of tire inflation, changes in improving 
air flow, etc.

Larry

On 10/4/2012 10:16 AM, FrankCB at aol.com wrote:
> Larry,
>     I wouldn't recommend getting a MPG gauge that registers 
> INSTANTANEOUS fuel consumption.  My late wife's 1989 Beretta had the 
> optional digital dash that showed either instantaneous or average 
> MPG.  Unless you are driving on a perfectly FLAT road, the instant. 
> reading will vary all over the place even on apparently flat 
> normal-driving roads.
>     If you really want to improve your 455 engine's mileage, get a 
> WIDE-band O2 sensor (check Innovate) and use it to set the A/F ratio 
> for cruising conditions.  This assumes you are using lead-free 
> gasoline otherwise the sensor won't last long.  You'll also need a 
> timing light (I use a "dial back" one) to set up the ignition timing 
> correctly.
>      Good luck and let us know what works for you,
> Frank Burkhard
> Boonton, NJ
> In a message dated 10/3/2012 11:31:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
> larry at forman.net writes:
>
>     I have been looking for either an MPG gauge or fuel flow sender
>     that I
>     can use to make an MPG gauge for my Ultravan, Toronado powered Holley
>     carbed engine.   I have found a few expensive marine or aero fuel
>     flow
>     senders and have not found any old Zemco (or other brand) fuel meters
>     from the 70's.   Those might be too restrictive for a 455 engine's
>     carb
>     inlet line.    Any ideas would be appreciated so I can make some
>     instrumented improvements in fuel economy.  I would be interested
>     in any
>     DIY or manufactured MPG meters for non-EFI engines and non-OBDII
>     engines.
>
>     FWIW, my Ultravan #545 is running between 12 and 13 mpg on long
>     trips,
>     which is not to bad considering the engine, weight and frontal
>     area, but
>     I am looking to improve that regardless.
>
>     Any assistance would be appreciated.
>
>     Thanks,
>
>     Larry Forman
>     _______________________________________________
>     This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all
>     copyrights are the property
>     of the writer, please attribute properly. For help,
>     mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
>     This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America,
>     http://www.corvair.org/
>     Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
>     Change your options:
>     http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs
>     _______________________________________________
>