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Gas mileage?


kindlethespirit

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So I just put a brand new Weber 38/38 carb on my '76. Fired right up and ran awesome for a day or so.

Now it just doesn't seem right. An example...coming into an intersection and making a right or left...obviously you have to slow down considerably...I down shift into second and make the turn. Then the car bucks really bad and makes me shift into first to get going.

Even with the bad carb I was getting around 26-28 miles to a gallon. I filled up today and it was 17 mpg's. I only got 180 miles out of the tank of gas and it was 90% interstate driving at 65 mph.

What type of mileage should I really be seeing? Does it sound like I'm running very rich on a brand new carb?

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I think your jets may be too big, unless you are sure you got the correct ones. This would cause a rich condition. As far as your mileage, I have heard that the 38/38 is pretty bad on gas, I have heard 15-20mpg is typical. I myself have a 32/36, and I usually average 25mpg in 50/50 highway/city

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I hear ya...I have a 38/38 on my '75 and I did see a big difference in mpg between my 32/36 and the 38/38. I'm considering going back to the 32/36 even though I've just recently got a new block with 9.5 pistons in it just do to the mpg issue. It's a bummer cause prior to this carb install...I remember getting nearly 30 mpg with it was stock with the 32/36 on it. It was great! Good luck with what ever you do decide to do.

Oh...And right now I'm getting about 20 mpg with my 38/38...Power is pretty darn good, so don't get me wrong...And I most definately can be heavy on the foot, but still...The trade off is the mpg.

One more thing...That problem your having with the turning and having to downshift...I'm not having that kind of problem...Good luck.

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Im getting about 16 on my stock motor and stock 32/36 with the correct size or smaller main jets... I think I got a popped head gasket :/

-Nathan
'76 2002 in Malaga (110k Original, 2nd Owner, sat for 20 years and now a toy)
'86 Chevy K20 (6.2 Turbo Diesel build) & '46 Chevy 2 Ton Dump Truck
'74 Suzuki TS185, '68 BSA A65 Lightning (garage find), '74 BMW R90S US Spec #2

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I am getting 22-23 mpg in mixed driving and have seen 27-28 on the highway with the 38/38. My 32/36 gave me 25-26 average but I'm OK with the trade off in low end power. Plugs look good but there may be more improvement with playing with jetting.

75 2002 polaris 2365430

88 325ix zinnoberrot

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Ok....I definitely have better power. So I'm guessing that the gas mileage is going to be the trade off.

Any ideas on why the bogging down on turns...even turning into the driveway, I almost have to come to a stop to shift into first. If I don't go up the driveway in first it will stall. It's a driveway that you can swing into. Not one that you have to go really slow to get into.

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I don't know anything about 38/38's, but I wonder why it ran fine for a day or so. Did something come loose, like a jet? Did the float-level change?

No amount of skill or education will ever replace dumb luck
1971 2002 (much modified rocket),  1987 635CSI (beauty),  

2000 323i,  1996 Silverado Pickup (very useful)

Too many cars.

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Carb is not dialed in properly....did you do it yourself or have it tuned? Do you have the correct jets? Sounds like its running rich....lean it all the way out and see how it works.

1976 BMW 2002 Fjord Blue Ireland Stage II • Bilstein Sports • Ireland Headers • Weber 38 • 292 Cam • 9.5:1 Pistons • 123Tune Bluetooth 15" BBS

2016 BMW 535i M Sport

1964 Volvo Amazon Wagon
http://www.project2002.com

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I have a 32/36 and every time I ask my wrench about a 38/38 he tells me the same thing, not much improvement for the way I drive and a big hit in mileage. I am spending my money (lots of it!) elsewhere.

75 2002: weber, ANSA, lowered, 14" wheels, new engine, new suspension, rust free & square.

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Honestly, I just installed it. I didn't do anything. I just left everything alone and it seemed like all was well.

I do know some about mechanics, but not enough I guess. What do I need to have done? I'll have to send it out to get things adjusted properly. Let me know what you think so the mechanic and I can have an intelligent conversation. Thanks.

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Just tell yor mechanic that it ran fine for a day or so.

No amount of skill or education will ever replace dumb luck
1971 2002 (much modified rocket),  1987 635CSI (beauty),  

2000 323i,  1996 Silverado Pickup (very useful)

Too many cars.

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I have a 38 on my Opel GT with a 2.0 engine, 9.5 pistons and a cam. I love it, but it took me a while to dial it in. Here is what I learned:

- float level is very critical. My carb was new, but the float level was too high.

- Jets: I had to use much smaller main jets, I am at 125 now

- Emulsion tubes: many 38 Webers come with the F50, but you will need F66

- The 2 mixture screws on both sides need to be synchronized, and adjusted according to the specs. If they are not within the recommended range, your idle jets are wrong.

As for mileage, I get 18-20 in town, 25-27 on the freeway.

Dieter

Current:

- 1970 Colorado 2002, 1982 323i, 1972 Porsche 914, 1956 Porsche 356A Coupe replica, 2003 Mini Cooper S

Past:

- 1980 320is Turbo, 1972 Malaga 2002tii, 1973 Polaris 2002tii, 1973 Sahara 2002, 1981 Alpina C1 2.3, 1989 M3, 1984 Hardy & Beck 327S

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