MTFCA Forum

So what's average fuel economy for a Model T......what is your MPG?

Traveling a long distance where I can keep track. 22mpg. i know I get less running around town. 1920 Touring.

You'd all get greater mileage if you bought petrol in imperial gallons rather than be short changed by US gallons

Allan from downunder.

Touring I get around 25 mpg in my newly rebuilt 1915 runabout. 280 Chaffin cam, Prus head, Holly G, I timer and Scat crankshaft. Pretty well balanced.

18 mpg, improved coupe with stock engine.

I have a '26-7 roadster. I haven't kept close track, but it often has more gas in it than I expect. Around 20 MPG would be close. I believe I could get around 25 MPG on a calm day if I tried to. That would involve limiting speed to about 30 MPH and pinching back the carburetor adjustment and keeping the timing at the maximum that conditions would permit. A high compression head would improve mileage. Putting the top down and opening the winshield might improve mileage with this car. Running 33 to 35 PSI in the tires would likely help, too. I run 27 to 30 PSI to avoid hammering the car on poor gravel roads. The tires show no ill-effect from this. Ultimate tire mileage may suffer. I'm going to install an I-timer and new points, and I expect overall performance to improve after that. I'd like to install a Prus-type head in cast iron and a Scat crank.

I have no idea. I don't have an odometer and I'm not fooling around with GPS. I don't really care anyway; a bigger worry for me is the gas going stale before I use it.

Use it up or drain it off!

I just bought a Garmin thingie. It's about useless on its internal battery, so I bought a small gel battery and put it under the seat and added a plug. No cutting or drilling required. Now the Garmin device works pretty well. It shows MPH, compass, maps, routes, routes traveled, has odometer, and lots more. $99.00 at Wah Mart. It even tells me when I'm traveling on a dirt road, and that's always good to know!

I have no idea, however, I know I can drive all day on one full tank. I, however, get the BEST mileage in the T when it is on a trailer being towed to the start of a tour!
Norm

That's like a multi-trillion dollar boondoggle that's "free".

I measure mine in miles pre smiles!
I have to wonder about the higher MPG, because just saying someone got X MPG, that is only part of the picture. Does not say the average speed, terrine, how the spark is set, where their spray needle valve is set, condition of engine/running gear, what size tires etc.to have gotten those MPG.

I checked the 26 RPU this summer. 20 mpg both times. Alot better than my 05 chevy work truck.

My touring with 3:1 gearing, HC head OS valves and a Stromberg OF gets a little over 20mpg. I have not checked it lately but the OF does a lot better than the NH that was on there.

There is no specific setting of the various controls for maximum mileage. Mileage will vary with terrain and wind conditions regardless of other factors. Tire sizes will make some difference, but most of them are from 29" to 31", and that's not much difference, and what advantage there is will move from one size to another depending on terrain, speed, and other factors. Best MPG will be obtained in mild weather on level, smooth roadways with no wind using the leanest setting that gives smooth operation and maximum spark advance consistent with operating conditions of the moment. Speeds between 25 and 30 to 35 mph usually provide the best mpg. Top up or down, side curtains or not, windows up or down, windshield open or closed will all affect mpg to some degree, as will elevation and vehicle condition and loading. Anything that increases wind drag will affect mpg over 25 mph. Dirt roads typically degrade mpg 5 to 10% compared to smooth pavement. Snow, mud, rain, adverse winds, and extreme temperatures will degrade mpg. Tire pressure is probably as important to good mpg as small variations in tire width and diameter. Thick oils and gear lube will reduce mpg, especially in cold weather. Coils out of tune, erratic timer, and dirty plugs will all affect mpg. If your car is in overall good shape, I believe the best way to improve average mpg would be to add a good high compression head.

I have a GPS Speedometer hard wired into my Model T that I got on E-bay for $49 bucks......works great. I just filled up and I got 14.2 MPG.

Dallas, if you quit going to work you will save $$ on gas for that chevy. Maybe should get a horse and buggy for going to work. You wont need any gas.

I measured it at 18mpg on an original engine with low compression. That was on a long interstate highway drive.

I measured mine for the the first time and got 14.2 but I was staying in 1st to long so hopefully I will see an improvement. if not no worries......did not get my T for fuel economy lol

I consistently get about 22 mpg with my 23 touring. Strictly stock, 25 to 30 mph, smooth and fairly flat country roads, top up, roller timer, and buzz box tuned coils.
My friend's 13 touring with high compression pistons, 280 cam, top down, gets about 25 mpg while on tours with me.
Art Mirtes

That's good real-world MPG.

Mark Gregush wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 10, 2021 12:01 pm

I measure mine in miles pre smiles!
I have to wonder about the higher MPG, because just saying someone got X MPG, that is only part of the picture. Does not say the average speed, terrine, how the spark is set, where their spray needle valve is set, condition of engine/running gear, what size tires etc.to have gotten those MPG.

Miles per Smiles is the best measurement. I have a 29 Model A Phaeton and I love it but my 1915 Model T Touring gets far more MPS from both me and the people who see her. I just got my car in late June and have only been driving on open roads since August but the people around hear are just amazed to see 1915...... every time I go out people are taking photos/videos, giving thumbs up. As soon as I park more than likely I will be talking to someone.....to be honest I love taking the T to the grocery store and see the expressions on people's faces when I hand crank. My 29 Model A is better if I need keep up with traffic but the Model T is far more fun at 30mph.

I seem to get just north of 20mpg on average.