My 65 dodge dart 225 gets about 10 miles to the gallon. I have been hearing that is no good. I have heard to adjust the fuel mixture, and the timing. Is there anything else that may be causing the problem?

Tires, valve adjustment, worn out carburetor, worn out ignition system, loss of compression, sloppy steering components, undersize exhaust, clogged muffler, clogged air filter, too heavy of weight of oil, carrying too much weight in the car, dragging brakes, slipping automatic transmission, vacuum leaks, inoperative vacuum advance on the distributor, the list goes on.

My point is that improving MPG requires more than a fuel mixture and timing adjustment. 10 MPG is rather poor for such a light car. If you don't know the history or specirfics of the vehicle, I would start with checking things like timing chain stretch, compression in each cylinder, engine vacuum, adjusting the points, a good tune up using 5w-30 oil and Napa gold filters, making sure the tires are properly inflated and aligned. Follow this up with a good valve lash setting the lash to .012 intake and .022 exhaust with the motor hot.

Next, I would upgrade to electronic ignition, a 2 1/4 inch exhaust line with a free flowing muffler, and rebuild the carb. You can also play with the timing advance curve of the distributor to maximize fuel economy.

A 65 Dart with a 225 and a one barrel carb should be able to get around 20 mpg at least, even with an automatic transmission.

A hole somewhere or a kid draining the gas!

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11.02 @ 120.56
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAxRmoDgsdY
Chassis dyno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd6hFGzLJMc

Reed made some good points. I have done all he has mentioned and more. Your car is capable of getting 25 mpg. We had an old 65 in college and drove the heck out of it. Always 24 to 25 mpg....idled like a clock, nice and steady.

My 74 Swinger is much heavier 3600 lbs. with me and a full tank. Town/city driving nets 22.6 or better, freeway driving is 25+ mpg. This one still idles like a clock at 600 rpm.

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Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG