How to improve MPG on old V8

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Srtgray

Guest
Hi,

I have a 1984 110 V8 which gives around 14 mpg at the moment,
independent of driving style. What can I do to improve this without
spending too much money? The carbs were recently replaced with good
second hand units, but these haven't been balanced - would that help?
Also, she's backfiring a little on power off. I think this is
contributing to the thirstiness, what should I look for? I am aware
that "V8" and "economy" rarely come iin the same sentence without the
additional word "crap", but I ought to be getting a few miles more. Oh,
I have a full roof rack fitted, and I'm running on Michelin XCLs (soon
to be changed for preferably Avon Rangemasters if I can find some in
France).

Any helpful comments gratefully received!

Stuart
 
wish mine did 14mpg, then i'd be happy (er)! I get 10 out of mine in
'normal' use and 13 on a run. The roof rack will add a lot of drag, removing
it should add about 10% ish to mpg.

Richard


"Srtgray" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I have a 1984 110 V8 which gives around 14 mpg at the moment, independent
> of driving style. What can I do to improve this without spending too
> much money? The carbs were recently replaced with good second hand units,
> but these haven't been balanced - would that help? Also, she's backfiring
> a little on power off. I think this is contributing to the thirstiness,
> what should I look for? I am aware that "V8" and "economy" rarely come
> iin the same sentence without the additional word "crap", but I ought to
> be getting a few miles more. Oh, I have a full roof rack fitted, and I'm
> running on Michelin XCLs (soon to be changed for preferably Avon
> Rangemasters if I can find some in France).
>
> Any helpful comments gratefully received!
>
> Stuart


 
Hiya,

Okay take off the roof rack - should up it to about 15 m.p.g I would get
the carbs balanced, there is too much fuel going through that is why you are
getting a back fire.

I would put on BF GOODRICH tyres I know they are not cheap but they will
help.

If you fit a K&N Air filter I reckon you could then hit 16 m.p.g.

All of this will help and I also reckon that HiCiclones work well. Add at
least another 1 m.p.g So you could then be hitting 17 m.p.g I woudl also
slick 50 the engine it probably won't help the m.p.g much but it will make
everything a little smoother. I take it that the tappets are adjusted
correctly.

Yours

Andy

P.S. If you want to go the whole hog get yourself a Stainless Steel exhaust.


"Srtgray" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I have a 1984 110 V8 which gives around 14 mpg at the moment, independent
> of driving style. What can I do to improve this without spending too
> much money? The carbs were recently replaced with good second hand units,
> but these haven't been balanced - would that help? Also, she's backfiring
> a little on power off. I think this is contributing to the thirstiness,
> what should I look for? I am aware that "V8" and "economy" rarely come
> iin the same sentence without the additional word "crap", but I ought to
> be getting a few miles more. Oh, I have a full roof rack fitted, and I'm
> running on Michelin XCLs (soon to be changed for preferably Avon
> Rangemasters if I can find some in France).
>
> Any helpful comments gratefully received!
>
> Stuart


 
"Andrew Renshaw" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hiya,
>
> Okay take off the roof rack - should up it to about 15 m.p.g I would get
> the carbs balanced, there is too much fuel going through that is why you
> are getting a back fire.
>
> I would put on BF GOODRICH tyres I know they are not cheap but they will
> help.
>
> If you fit a K&N Air filter I reckon you could then hit 16 m.p.g.
>
> All of this will help and I also reckon that HiCiclones work well. Add at
> least another 1 m.p.g So you could then be hitting 17 m.p.g I woudl also
> slick 50 the engine it probably won't help the m.p.g much but it will make
> everything a little smoother. I take it that the tappets are adjusted
> correctly.
>
> Yours
>
> Andy
>
> P.S. If you want to go the whole hog get yourself a Stainless Steel
> exhaust.
>
>
> "Srtgray" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have a 1984 110 V8 which gives around 14 mpg at the moment, independent
>> of driving style. What can I do to improve this without spending too
>> much money? The carbs were recently replaced with good second hand
>> units, but these haven't been balanced - would that help? Also, she's
>> backfiring a little on power off. I think this is contributing to the
>> thirstiness, what should I look for? I am aware that "V8" and "economy"
>> rarely come iin the same sentence without the additional word "crap", but
>> I ought to be getting a few miles more. Oh, I have a full roof rack
>> fitted, and I'm running on Michelin XCLs (soon to be changed for
>> preferably Avon Rangemasters if I can find some in France).
>>
>> Any helpful comments gratefully received!
>>
>> Stuart
>
>

I'd personally advise against using Slick 50. If you do a search you'll see
that there is quite a lot of evidence to support the fact that it reduces
friction but it also clogs up the smaller oilways and can cause oil
starvation to the parts that are fed by these oilways. Just do regular oil
and filter changes with a decent quality oil.

The other thing that is common with the V8 is that beyond about 80000 miles
the lobes on the camshaft become quite worn and reduce power and economy.

Regards

Phil Gardiner


 
On Sat, 29 Apr 2006 20:20:57 +0100, "Phil Gardiner"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>The other thing that is common with the V8 is that beyond about 80000 miles
>the lobes on the camshaft become quite worn and reduce power and economy.

I'm definitely coming to suspect this with mine, apart from loss of
power are there any obvious symptoms or checks. Economy remains the
same almost regardless of driving style, only dropping for short
journeys.

AJH0

 
AJH wrote:
> On Sat, 29 Apr 2006 20:20:57 +0100, "Phil Gardiner"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> The other thing that is common with the V8 is that beyond about 80000 miles
>> the lobes on the camshaft become quite worn and reduce power and economy.
>
> I'm definitely coming to suspect this with mine, apart from loss of
> power are there any obvious symptoms or checks. Economy remains the
> same almost regardless of driving style, only dropping for short
> journeys.
>
> AJH0

MOT time will tell!!


--

Subaru WRX
Range Rover 4.6 HSE (The Tank!)
110 Hi Cap (Ben)

'"Opinions are like arseholes, everyones got one"


 
Phil Gardiner wrote:
> "Andrew Renshaw" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Hiya,
>>
>> Okay take off the roof rack - should up it to about 15 m.p.g I
>> would get the carbs balanced, there is too much fuel going through
>> that is why you are getting a back fire.
>>
>> I would put on BF GOODRICH tyres I know they are not cheap but they
>> will help.
>>
>> If you fit a K&N Air filter I reckon you could then hit 16 m.p.g.
>>
>> All of this will help and I also reckon that HiCiclones work well.
>> Add at least another 1 m.p.g So you could then be hitting 17 m.p.g I woudl
>> also slick 50 the engine it probably won't help the m.p.g
>> much but it will make everything a little smoother. I take it that
>> the tappets are adjusted correctly.
>>
>> Yours
>>
>> Andy
>>
>> P.S. If you want to go the whole hog get yourself a Stainless Steel
>> exhaust.
>>
>>
>> "Srtgray" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I have a 1984 110 V8 which gives around 14 mpg at the moment,
>>> independent of driving style. What can I do to improve this
>>> without spending too much money? The carbs were recently replaced
>>> with good second hand units, but these haven't been balanced -
>>> would that help? Also, she's backfiring a little on power off. I
>>> think this is contributing to the thirstiness, what should I look
>>> for? I am aware that "V8" and "economy" rarely come iin the same
>>> sentence without the additional word "crap", but I ought to be
>>> getting a few miles more. Oh, I have a full roof rack fitted, and
>>> I'm running on Michelin XCLs (soon to be changed for preferably
>>> Avon Rangemasters if I can find some in France). Any helpful comments
>>> gratefully received!
>>>
>>> Stuart
>>
>>
>
> I'd personally advise against using Slick 50. If you do a search
> you'll see that there is quite a lot of evidence to support the fact
> that it reduces friction but it also clogs up the smaller oilways and
> can cause oil starvation to the parts that are fed by these oilways. Just do
> regular oil and filter changes with a decent quality oil.
>
> The other thing that is common with the V8 is that beyond about 80000
> miles the lobes on the camshaft become quite worn and reduce power
> and economy.
> Regards
>
> Phil Gardiner

The ONLY method guaranteed to improve mpg is amputation of right foot!

--
"He who says it cannot be done is advised not to interrupt her doing
it."

The fiend of my fiend is my enema!


 
Don't use Slick 50 - I have used it in the gear box and it's fine but I
wouldn't put it near the engine.

My 110 V8 CSW ex police will do 18mpg on a run - sometimes it has done
20mpg. I am NOT noted for a light right foot either.

I have a 3/4 roofrack - a riot screen AND 4 big spots on a light bar so
plenty of drag. I have noticed that as long as you stick to 65mph it is
fine - at 90mph it is dropping like a stone.

Engine is standard as is the exhaust. SU carbs - Colway mud terrains. It
does run like a dream and scares people because it is so quick.

My new 300tdi is not much better on fuel and is not as quick either.


 
On Sat, 29 Apr 2006 21:36:42 GMT, "Vince"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I have a 3/4 roofrack - a riot screen

Why have you left the riot screen on? Do you anticipate using it? ;)

 
On Sat, 29 Apr 2006 21:19:46 +0100, "Nige"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>> I'm definitely coming to suspect this with mine, apart from loss of
>> power are there any obvious symptoms or checks. Economy remains the
>> same almost regardless of driving style, only dropping for short
>> journeys.

>MOT time will tell!!

Less than a month old.

Why should a worn cam affect emissions?

AJH

 

"Vince" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:K%[email protected]...
> Don't use Slick 50 - I have used it in the gear box and it's fine but I
> wouldn't put it near the engine.
>
> My 110 V8 CSW ex police will do 18mpg on a run - sometimes it has done
> 20mpg. I am NOT noted for a light right foot either.
>
> I have a 3/4 roofrack - a riot screen AND 4 big spots on a light bar so
> plenty of drag. I have noticed that as long as you stick to 65mph it is
> fine - at 90mph it is dropping like a stone.
>
> Engine is standard as is the exhaust. SU carbs - Colway mud terrains. It
> does run like a dream and scares people because it is so quick.
>
> My new 300tdi is not much better on fuel and is not as quick either.
>
I have to bet that the police garage bods will have tweaked the nuts off it
thats not a bad figure at all. When I had the Rangie ( efi 3.5) the best
figures were on long runs
Timperley - Stranraer at just under 24 mpg cruising at around 70 <cough> on
clear roads ( left 5am ) daily driving to work was horrendous at <10mpg.
Derek


 
I took it in for a tune up a few years ago and to have the carbs balanced.
Bloke did it to the book - the engine pinked like hell - I turned the
mixture screws about 1/2 a turn each - now runs like a dream.


"Derek" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Vince" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:K%[email protected]...
> > Don't use Slick 50 - I have used it in the gear box and it's fine but I
> > wouldn't put it near the engine.
> >
> > My 110 V8 CSW ex police will do 18mpg on a run - sometimes it has done
> > 20mpg. I am NOT noted for a light right foot either.
> >
> > I have a 3/4 roofrack - a riot screen AND 4 big spots on a light bar so
> > plenty of drag. I have noticed that as long as you stick to 65mph it is
> > fine - at 90mph it is dropping like a stone.
> >
> > Engine is standard as is the exhaust. SU carbs - Colway mud terrains. It
> > does run like a dream and scares people because it is so quick.
> >
> > My new 300tdi is not much better on fuel and is not as quick either.
> >
> I have to bet that the police garage bods will have tweaked the nuts off
it
> thats not a bad figure at all. When I had the Rangie ( efi 3.5) the best
> figures were on long runs
> Timperley - Stranraer at just under 24 mpg cruising at around 70 <cough>
on
> clear roads ( left 5am ) daily driving to work was horrendous at <10mpg.
> Derek
>
>


 
Vince wrote:
> I took it in for a tune up a few years ago and to have the carbs balanced.
> Bloke did it to the book - the engine pinked like hell - I turned the
> mixture screws about 1/2 a turn each - now runs like a dream.
>
>

I had a similar thing on my old sII 2.25 petrol. I set the timing with
a strobe light, got it perfectly on the right mark, ran like a dog.
Then I just grabbed the distributor and turned it until it ran sweetly,
which left the timing "way off" but working better. LAnd Rovers eh...

Whereabouts are the mixture screws?

Stuart
 
Vince wrote:

||
|| "Tom Woods" <[email protected]> wrote in message
|| news:[email protected]...
||| On Sat, 29 Apr 2006 21:36:42 GMT, "Vince"
||| <[email protected]> wrote:
|||
|||| I have a 3/4 roofrack - a riot screen
|||
||| Why have you left the riot screen on? Do you anticipate using it? ;)

|| It is great in amongst the trees - or certain housing estates.....
||

Is it to keep the chavs out, or the passengers in?
--
Rich
==============================

I don't approve of signatures, so I don't have one.


 
Mixture screws are in the sides just under the body of the carb on the SU if
I remember correctly.


"Srtgray" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Vince wrote:
> > I took it in for a tune up a few years ago and to have the carbs
balanced.
> > Bloke did it to the book - the engine pinked like hell - I turned the
> > mixture screws about 1/2 a turn each - now runs like a dream.
> >
> >
>
> I had a similar thing on my old sII 2.25 petrol. I set the timing with
> a strobe light, got it perfectly on the right mark, ran like a dog.
> Then I just grabbed the distributor and turned it until it ran sweetly,
> which left the timing "way off" but working better. LAnd Rovers eh...
>
> Whereabouts are the mixture screws?
>
> Stuart


 
"Srtgray" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Vince wrote:
>> I took it in for a tune up a few years ago and to have the carbs
>> balanced.
>> Bloke did it to the book - the engine pinked like hell - I turned the
>> mixture screws about 1/2 a turn each - now runs like a dream.
>>
>>
>
> I had a similar thing on my old sII 2.25 petrol. I set the timing with a
> strobe light, got it perfectly on the right mark, ran like a dog. Then I
> just grabbed the distributor and turned it until it ran sweetly, which
> left the timing "way off" but working better. LAnd Rovers eh...
>
> Whereabouts are the mixture screws?
>
> Stuart

See http://www.withernigh.co.uk/su_mixture.JPG It's clockwise for richer
and anticlockwise for leaner.

Phil


 
Phil Gardiner wrote:
> "Srtgray" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Vince wrote:
>>
>>>I took it in for a tune up a few years ago and to have the carbs
>>>balanced.
>>>Bloke did it to the book - the engine pinked like hell - I turned the
>>>mixture screws about 1/2 a turn each - now runs like a dream.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>I had a similar thing on my old sII 2.25 petrol. I set the timing with a
>>strobe light, got it perfectly on the right mark, ran like a dog. Then I
>>just grabbed the distributor and turned it until it ran sweetly, which
>>left the timing "way off" but working better. LAnd Rovers eh...
>>
>>Whereabouts are the mixture screws?
>>
>>Stuart
>
>
> See http://www.withernigh.co.uk/su_mixture.JPG It's clockwise for richer
> and anticlockwise for leaner.
>
> Phil
>
>
Thanks, but I've got the other type of carb (Stromberg?)

Ta,
Stuart
 
Srtgray wrote:

>>> Whereabouts are the mixture screws?
>>>
>>> Stuart
>>
>> See http://www.withernigh.co.uk/su_mixture.JPG It's clockwise for
>> richer and anticlockwise for leaner.
>>
>> Phil
>>
> Thanks, but I've got the other type of carb (Stromberg?)
>
> Ta,
> Stuart

You adjust the needle position relative to the piston - the adjuster is
accessible after you remove the damper/plug from the top of the
piston housing.

A 'special' tool may be required to stop you rotating the piston at the
same time and damaging the diaphragm. The typical sort of thing usually
used can be viewed here:
http://www.motorcarsltd.com/item.wws?sku=IN100586

 
On Mon, 01 May 2006 18:44:16 +0100, Dougal
<DougalAThiskennel.free-online.co.uk> wrote:

>You adjust the needle position relative to the piston - the adjuster is
> accessible after you remove the damper/plug from the top of the
>piston housing.
>
>A 'special' tool may be required to stop you rotating the piston at the
>same time and damaging the diaphragm. The typical sort of thing usually
>used can be viewed here:
>http://www.motorcarsltd.com/item.wws?sku=IN100586

adjuster is down at the bottom of the damper bit

Its either a long allen key (the special part of the tool is a collar
that holds it central). or alternatively there is a lump almost like a
grain of rice down at the bottom of the damper hole and the tool turns
that (a straight screwdriver with a cut in the centre works too)
 
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