Newbie saying Hi. I need the board's help and opinion. I have a 71 Dart with air and a 225 slant six bored 40 over. Has stock cam, super 6 intake and 318 carb, 2-1/4 exhaust, automatic, 294 gears. Is it possible to get 25-26 miles per gallon on the highway and 18-20 in the city? Or do I need to sell the dart and get a front wheel drive car? I really hope to be able to keep the dart.

If you were buying a 71 Dart because you wanted a practical, convenient car to drive, sell it to one of us. They are a reliable car, they can get very good gas mileage if you know your stuff (talk to DusterIdiot about that) and your combination of mods will make it a fun car to drive too. But if you are even considering replacing it with a front wheel drive car, you are probably not the type who will consider this worth the trouble it takes to find the right parts and the right advice. A 71 dart is not even in the same stratosphere as a front wheel drive car. Only you can definitively answer this question for yourself. Are you up for the responsibility?

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

I have the car already. It's been sitting for 4 years due to being painted and me being disabled. The motor only has 20-25,000 miles on it. Some friends want to buy the car, but I'd like to keep it and finish the car if I can get it to get 18-25 miles per gallon. Is this possible?

It is certainly possible. But it will take work. If you really like the car and are willing to committ to the task at hand, you will find success. We will help you as best we can. But if you are low on patience and money, well... it will be frustrating.

Are you converting to hand controls? What is the nature of your disability if you dont mind me asking.

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

Thanks for replying. I'm glad to know the goals are possible. Money will be tight to finish. I have Muscular Dystrophy and it affects my breathing and makes me real weak. Hope to be driving the Dart soon. Thanks again.

The mileage you want is, practically speaking, not available from that car on a daily-driver basis. "practically" is the key word here. You could spend a great deal of money and time and effort and get near the mileage you're after...but read this post first.