I forgot to mention that the LeMans averaged 17.5 mpg driving the back roads through the small towns of rural America with the new 462 engine backed with the original M-20 4-speed and 3.08 12-bolt rear end. The engine is a 4.25" stroker 400 block with the SD Performance CNC ported 6x-8 heads (260/210 cfm) 9.6 to 1 compression, RAIV clone cam from Bullit w/1.5 rockers, std. RA exhaust manifolds, std. cast iron 4-bbl intake and a 7040264 Q-jet. It ran great and cool for the 600 mile trip. This was driving very conservatively, btw.
I really think the smaller 3" main cranks less friction really helps efficiency quite a bit. My 455HO formula with 3.42 gears and pure stock only managed 15.2 mpg best...with 14-15 mpg the usual not getting into the secondaries.
Dennis
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