Hey all,

I was Craigslisting and I came across a 1978 Scottsdale with a 305 in it anda 3 spd auto. I tried to find out what kind o f mpgs this would get, and I came up empty.

I'm figuring 14 and 19, but that might be pushin it.

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/car/577267549.html

 

Not sure but I've got a 1998 k1500 with a 305 that does about 16, but that is the vortec motor the one you are looking at will still have a carburator so it will probably be a little lower.

 

It all depends on the gear ratio. It has no "high" final drive or overdrive so that will hurt highway mileage unless it is geared high in the rear (3.08 or 3.43). It was built when GM was just figuring out the pollution control on gasoline engines so there is not as much HP as there could be, but that can be changed. It has a carb, so that will hurt you too. Best guess would be 12-16 or so with 3.43 or 3.73 gears.

 

MAN,,,AND OLD CARB,THERE IS NO TELLING..7 OR 8 IF the carb has problems...12 to MAYBE 14 if its tip-top ..

that 78 never saw 19 in neutral going 70 mph with tailwinds downhill

 

I figured i wasbit high, but now that I think of it, I was comparing it to an old Chevy luv with an aftermarket 2.2 that a buddy of mine has. Oops, Any other input, is this a good year, or will it rust out within the year of a Michigan winter

 

The only ways around rust are:
1. Garage and frequent cleaning.
2. Undercoating since new with frequent touch-ups.
3. Buy a newer Saturn, they are 80% plastic.
4. Buy something new and sell it before it rusts.
5. Fix the rust correcly and try and prevent it from coming back, but eventually it will.

I imagine Michigan is worse than PA and these are rules I live by in PA.

 

OH, we don't have to worry too much, we have had such a @#$%^&tty winter, the county has run out of salt, so they only get a limited supply from north of here. Another county ran out of money and sentall of their road crews home, they have missed 23 days of school this year.

The truck will be garaged and definitely cleaned often because my family is the most meticulous hicks in the world. My mom never even puts washer fluid in her truck because it gets washed 4 times a week. Do you think that this is enough. The only other older truck we had was a 79 bonanza that wasn't even taken out in the winter and it was rusted through in the bed.

i also got a line on a 1980 El camino that I really like: what do you think. THe gas mileage is 17 and 21, I already checked this one. The only problem I have is that it is rear wheel drive and tire chains are illegal here. I figure if I put enough weight in the back and get some good gripping rear tires for the rear and i will be all right

http://www.sleemansclassiccars.com/1980elcaminoss.htm

 

yea we couldnt get salt around here for close to a month cause they were reserving it and shipping it all up north. this winter hasnt been the nicest as far as snow and ice go.

 

Between now and 3 pm tomorrow we're forecasted for 6-9 more inches of snow. This forecast was new as of 11:00 this morning and at 9:00 they were saying sunny. I can't trust it for longer than 12 hours

 

that seems like a good deal if everything is decent on that truck. if it were for sale near me, id get it.

if the carb and filter are good, id expect around 11-12 mpg.
but keep in mind, its a 3 speed auto, 305 4x4.