fuel efficiency

[travistoronado]

i found a 67 toronado good condition on craigslist in my area, but it would be my first car
i was wondering is there anyway i could make its fuel efficiency around 16-18 mpg if im lucky
i know its a bad choice as a starter car
but i cant seem to look at anything but the toronados
its got a 425 in it
thank god its auto cus i wouldnt know how to drive stick
its for 4500 and i was wondering if i managed to get it, how much am i looking at and what can i do to take it from the 7mpg mark

[travistoronado]

here is the car on craigslist:
http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/2616348519.html

[Twilight Fenrir]

i was wondering is there anyway i could make its fuel efficiency around 16-18 mpg

Sure... Start it, and drive it...

My '66 gets about 18MPG on average... I went for a long cruise, with nothing but highway, and pulled 24mpg. I was shocked. My tiny 305 El Camino only got about 14mpg on a good day. (my other stock 305 Camino gets about 24 though... the first one is just more fun to drive )

My carb isn't quite tuned in just yet, so I'm hoping these numbers will improve a bit. I think my fuel bowl plugs are leaking too. Just too sick of pulling the carb on and off at the moment to fix it.

One of the big things that helps improve fuel economy, is the Switch-Pitch stator... Which was discontinued in '68 for no good reason. It effectively creates variable 'gearing' inside of the transmission. So if you stomp on it you get going faster. And if you are cruising you get better economy.

I wouldn't say it's a bad starter car... Always start with the best! If the car is in as good of shape as the pictures seem to imply, it might not even cost alot for upkeep. The mechanical systems are really straightforward, except for some of the fancier options available. (Comfortron) It's basically an engine, transmission, and steering system. No computers, or control modules... most of the expensive, or difficult to come by parts aren't critical to its opperation.

I'd say go for it if you can afford it, and are willing to maintain it. It's not something I'd want to take to a mechanics, personally. But we all have our different goals, and sentiments.

[travistoronado]

Does the 66 have a 425 in it?
Im really tempted but my parents would have to lend me 3 grand for it
Thanks for all the information

[Twilight Fenrir]

Yup, '66 and '67 are mechanically identical. There were some minor body changes, and the interriors were completely revamped... but otherwise they're the same car, with the exception of the '67 having a few more options...

Oh, that reminds me... beware the brakes. Untill 1970 when disc brakes became essentially standard int he front, they had all drum brakes that are somewhat terrifying in an emergency stop. If you plan to drive it daily, I would recomend upgrading the front to disc... it takes about $700 for parts, plus some new wheels... They are the cars single greatest flaw. Disc brakes WERE an option in '67... so it's possible you won't have to worry about it... but make sure you ask about it.

You can read up more about it here:
http://www.breznick.com/toronado/brakes/index.htm

That being said, I have driven my toro all summer with my drum brakes, saving the conversion for winter. They're fine when used for normal driving, on relatively flat roads. I'd never be able to drive the car through Duluth though... (City on the shore of Lake Superior... it pretty much drops 500 ft inside of 3-4 miles) and I fear the day someone infront of me sees a dear and slams on the brakes.

[xgecko]

I fully support Twilight's comments regarding disk vs drum brakes; many years ago I had a 1967 Olds Delta 88 with drums and when a dude in an Audi 4000 panic stopped in front of me when pulling out from a side road I slammed on the brakes which more or less decided they needed to get on the job a few moments later and then sort of casually reduced my speed from 35 to about 15 in the space of a couple of hundred feet or so. Eventually I plowed right into him.

I will never drive another car like this with drums. Ever. Under any circumstances (no offense, Twilight, I just am too leery now).

Contrast that with my '69 which has been upgraded with a Hydroboost Power Booster from an Eldorado but using the bone stock 1969 brakes - I get better braking performance than in my '01 Silverado which has a vacuum booster but the same slotted and cross drilled rotors in front and two piston calipers. Even without the Hydroboost the disks will stop reliably.

I would definitely be looking for a donor car from the 1970's (A Toronado or Eldorado) from which you can obtain all the needed parts as per the link Twilight gave you. It will be well worth it.

And I can confirm the amazing mileage these cars can give when properly tuned. I am upgrading to sequential port fuel injection this winter and expect to break 20 MPG around town.

Keep in mind you will be subject to all sorts of 'thumbs ups' and other nice comments from people as you drive around...

[Mikel]

I get about 13MPG, with a one time best of 15. If fuel economy is a big concern, buy an econobox and THEN your Toronado. I think you will find that my numbers are more common than those getting 20MPG. Having to rely on a 45 year old vehicle to get you to work every day can be very frustrating.

[xgecko]

Interesting. I have had several of these cars and routinely get 18 or so MPG as long as I drive easy. If I get on it much then it will unsurprisingly drop to very low numbers.

If you are getting 13 MPG and you have a Gen 1 Toronado you might check to see if you have it tuned fully. You may very well be able to significantly improve your mileage.

I expect to get over 20 MPG when I upgrade to fuel injection this winter. I will report back what kind of performance I am seeing once I get it back on the road.

[Mikel]

Interesting. I have had several of these cars and routinely get 18 or so MPG as long as I drive easy. If I get on it much then it will unsurprisingly drop to very low numbers.

If you are getting 13 MPG and you have a Gen 1 Toronado you might check to see if you have it tuned fully. You may very well be able to significantly improve your mileage.

I expect to get over 20 MPG when I upgrade to fuel injection this winter. I will report back what kind of performance I am seeing once I get it back on the road.

Your car must be tuned extremely well. All the period magazine reviews I've read cite MPG figures at low teens. I'm envious

[Twilight Fenrir]

Interesting. I have had several of these cars and routinely get 18 or so MPG as long as I drive easy. If I get on it much then it will unsurprisingly drop to very low numbers.

If you are getting 13 MPG and you have a Gen 1 Toronado you might check to see if you have it tuned fully. You may very well be able to significantly improve your mileage.

I expect to get over 20 MPG when I upgrade to fuel injection this winter. I will report back what kind of performance I am seeing once I get it back on the road.

Your car must be tuned extremely well. All the period magazine reviews I've read cite MPG figures at low teens. I'm envious

Huh... Yeah, I do a bit more highway driving than in town, but as I said, I still get 16-18mpg. Highway pulls 24. I just rebuilt my own factory-ish q-jet, and got it tuned as best I could. First time i've ever adjusted one, and i'm still working at it...

I should probably also mention, my power is really lacking.. I haven't figured out why yet... Can't squeel my tires at all. I'm thinking it's rundown from my carb plugs leaking. I've rebuilt and timed the ignition, replaced/revuilt the entire fuel system, and know i've got good compression....