Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines H-W carb for a 250

I have a 79 caprice with a 250. It's never been rebuilt and still has 160 psi compressions on all 6 cylinders. It belonged to my grandma but now she has given it to me. I'd like to change the monojet for one of Tom Langdon's H-W progressive carb. Im guessing I also need the adapter, but what aobut the linkage??? Do you think there might be any problems with hood clearance or anything like that??? I'm looking for a bit better performance, but still maintaining good fuel economy since it's going to be my daily driver. Right now it gets only 12-13 MPG which isn't good for a daily driver. So what can you guys tell me about the conversion?

First I'll say that I love the HW 5200. Second, don't expect better mileage. My truck probably weighs in at about the same as a Caprice; 3800 pounds, and the best mileage I've gotten is with the large ventura monojet that came on the 292s. I got 16 mpg on the hiway as long as I was nice to it and kept it under 65 mph. For any real increase in mpg you will probably have to freshen up the engine with new rings and bearings, go with a mild performance cam, work the ports over a bit, and run a split exhaust or header. That caprice is HEAVY so no matter what you do you probably won't get better than about 18 mpg. Lagndons sells a nice linkage or it's easy to fab one. Good Luck!

Boo

On second thought; with that knid of compression you probably don't need ringgs or bearings. how many miles are on this rig?

I just calculated my gas mileage and it's getting 10.6 MPG!!!!!!!!! This can't be my daili drvier. Any ideas on what I can do to improve gas mileage that doesn't require for example getting a new transmission or anything that expensive???

Ummmmmm - how about shutting it off going down hills and at traffic lights? Seriously, 10 mpg sounds way off the mark even in a 79 Caprice. Before panic totally sets in I would go over all of the usual tune up details such as timing, condition of distrib cap & wires, plugs, etc. Making sure everything is as right as it should be. Don't overlook things like correct tire pressures, dragging brake pads and shoes, automatic choke settings, and a possible carb internal leakage if the plugs are showing sooty.

Unless the car is being driven with a couple of bricks glued to your shoe I have to think it ought to give you around 13 - 14 mpg even in local driving if everything is right.

Mike G ( 4355 )

Mike is right. you should be able to get 14 in town and 16 on the hiway. Follow his advice and check everything before you spend money, but I'd be prepared to by a new carb. The HW 5200 from Langdon's is a good way to go, but you can get a rebuilt monojet from JC Whitney CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. If you go that route be sure and order one for a 292. It has a bigger ventura and throttle opening. On my truck I got BETTER mpg with it.

Boo