How good on gas is your rat rod????

mikec4193 · Oct 25, 2011

Hi Everyone.

I was working on my rat rod last night; grinding and drilling (you know typical stuff) and I got to thinking...gasoline is $3.63 a gallon(in upstate NY)...so how is the mileage on your rat rod??.....I mean I see you guys talking about stuffing big blocks and all kinds of big horse power making devices on your rigs...I currently have been grunting on 250 cu. in. Chevrolet engine hooked to a 4 speed...nothing is running yet..but I am curious as what these old rust buckets get for mileage.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

MikeC

Tim...Ok · Oct 25, 2011

the last tunnel rammed small block chevy I had got about 6 mpg..this truck is going to be lighter and have higher gears, so I'm hopin for 8 out of it

bgbrktracer · Oct 25, 2011

That's something I never thought about. These vehicles are (Should Be) for our enjoyment, not a daily driver that you would have to worry about mileage. If it runs good, drives good, and looks good who cares about mileage. If you plan to go on a long trip install a bigger tank or plan to stop alot. Just my .02, hope don't offend anyone.

goose-em · Oct 25, 2011

Who cares about gas mileage in a hot rod!

If you want good gas mileage buy a Prius.

If you want a cool ride build a hot rod.

During my cam break in I went through a gallon in 20 minutes.

After spending the money it takes to build one I should think that 30 0r 40 bucks a fill up is pretty cheap.

Reminds me of this car show I went to with a friend. We were looking at a 29 Ford pickup with a big block and blower. My friend asks the guy what his gas mileage was, (I crawled under a rock), guy answers, I really don't know and really don't care, I built it for fun.

Old Iron · Oct 25, 2011

Your 250 4 speed with 3.08 gears 28" to 30" tall tires (you didn't say so I picked a gear ratio and tire size) should get you around 15 to 22 depending on how you drive it

Jim

HOT40ROD · Oct 25, 2011

Never check the mileage. I just look at the gauge and when it hit 1/4 I fill it.

My modern day hotrod gets about 12 MPG. If I put my foot into the supercharger I get about 10 but I have a big smile on me face when I am doing it. Nothing like a street driven hotrod with 547 HP.

Bonehead · Oct 25, 2011

I measure mine in , "Smiles per gallon" too.

TiredIronGRB · Oct 25, 2011

Mine runs real good on gas.

bob w · Oct 25, 2011

I get around 20 miles a gallon with a couple of mine. Stock small block Chevys in a light car with a tall gear.

billy · Oct 25, 2011

my (almost done) ride
has a stock 302
3.00 rear end c6 tranny and 30" tires
i am curious to see what i will get

Toad · Oct 25, 2011

Bonehead said:
I measure mine in , "Smiles per gallon" too.

Since mine has no speedometer it would be kind of hard to figure but it gets better than my Silverado!

Toad

skull · Oct 25, 2011

20

l know a lot of ya have the "l don't care what" on the milage thing, but some of us have very limited funds to work with. so on that thought, some people (like me

) have to be fuel concious. l too love to drive my rods but reality is; fuel prices SUCK!

that's why for my rides, a overdrive and 3:25 to 3:5O gears so l can pull 2O miles to the gallon.

the reason for good milage: why have'em if ya can't afford to drive'em [S

Later

billy · Oct 25, 2011

i hate to say it
but i think this rod may get the best milage of any of my vehicles.
88 GMC 2500k 4X4 KING CAB LONG BED
63 willys cj5

mikec4193 · Oct 25, 2011

goose-em said:
Who cares about gas mileage in a hot rod!

If you want good gas mileage buy a Prius.

If you want a cool ride build a hot rod.

During my cam break in I went through a gallon in 20 minutes.

After spending the money it takes to build one I should think that 30 0r 40 bucks a fill up is pretty cheap.

Reminds me of this car show I went to with a friend. We were looking at a 29 Ford pickup with a big block and blower. My friend asks the guy what his gas mileage was, (I crawled under a rock), guy answers, I really don't know and really don't care, I built it for fun.

I agree totally but the reality is I work two jobs to support my toys...I dont have a boat load of money..If I did I wouldnt be on here...Fun or not...I want the most bang for my buck...(you should see my racecar..its a Dodge Neon..cost me about a gallon of gas to run every Friday night!!!)...I am not cheap...I am poor...I watch every penny I make...

Thanks for all the input....you guys are great...
MikeC

rainman · Oct 25, 2011

I think its very important myself, I'm running a 4.3 chevy with 350 turbo, 4.11 gears and would guesstimate around 20 mpg. No speedo here either!! BTW it's got a 4bbl. intake but I'm running a 4412 2bbl. holley carb!!
If you can't afford to drive it, what good is it???

Mr.Gussett · Oct 25, 2011

MPG

My last long outing I kept at a constant 62 mph and got 19 mpg!
427 tall-deck BBC with 3:00 gear!Car weighs just under 2800lbs
In town ...........NOT so good

RoddingRon · Oct 25, 2011

I was getting about 12 or so with the 327 on my 40 Studebaker. It was a lot of fun, but not for long trips. I too need to get a little better mileage which is why I'm putting a tuned port, 700R4 and the 3:42 posi from a 87 Trans Am in the 54 pickup. The Trans Am is a heck of a lot more aerodynamic then a 54 Studebaker pick up, but the T/A got 26 mpg with "normal" driving on the highway. If I can get around 20 on the highway,in the pickup, I'll be happy as all get out.

GJunktionMike · Oct 26, 2011

I'll race any one on a gallon of gas

My 49 f-6 around 26

oldmanb · Oct 26, 2011

Gettin about 20,since I put the 6 pack on, way better then the Q-jet

Flipper_1938 · Oct 27, 2011

The 48 gets 13 mpg.

My daily driver Yaris gets 42 mpg.

I love the truck, but it kills me to burn $200 in a weekend taking the truck to a show.

How good on gas is your rat rod????

Help Support Rat Rods Rule:

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Skull Master

Traditionalist

Still crazy after all these years!

Motor mouth ratchet jaw!

Well-known member

''SARCASM: just one of his many talents.''

Motor mouth ratchet jaw!

Well-known member

Rough Rodder

Yep... he can do it!

Attachments

A man in his natural habitat....a Studebaker

Something's wrong with that boy!

Well-known member

He recycles the right way

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!