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The convertibles are fairly collectible now, although, anyone who bought new in 71 would have been much better served with a good clean 67-70 car, IMHO. Not as bad as 73, but it was getting there.
The one good thing about 71 MY GM cars is this is the first year for hardened valve seats intended for unleaded gas, Ford and MoPar went to these in 72, IIRC.
I have always been partial to the 71 Impala 2-door with the short vinyl top and the concave rear window - not certain what it is called - but frequently these came with silver paint and black vinyl top and interior, a good looking setup.
These were available with a 4-speed if you special ordered it.
The 400 small block. So far I have just replaced the distributor with an adjustable ACCEL one, it still has the original intake and carb. Eventually I have thought about putting on a low-RPM oriented aluminum intake and the smaller Quadrajet (with a mind more towards improving MPG than all-out power). It came with single exhaust, I converted it to dual exhaust.
The 400 small block has a rather larger exhaust valve compared to intake than most SBC and a shorter con-rod, both leaning it more to low RPM torque than high rev power typical of most SBC.
It's not uncommon for the 400 to get better MPG as a 350, even the 350 2V, at the same speeds.
At the end of the day, it's a big thirsty car though.
Oh, a 400.
Yes, you can't expect great fuel economy with a 400-incher. Although they were available with highway gears (like 2.73:1, for instance).
My DD for the last 15 years was a 1988 MB 300SEL. I retired it to foul weather only last Fall by adding a 1990 MB 560SEL. Its 21 years old but virtually brand new. With 40k miles and meticulous care during its lifetime, it is just the way it was driving out of the showroom at MB Manhattan 21 years ago.
Thats what our Mercedes is that I posted a pic of. Its a 300SEL (1988). Been a really good car.... fuel gauge a little funky now though.
Your 560SEL sounds awesome! I have always wanted to take a spin in a "new" one. I had a V8 S-Class years ago, but it was a 1985 380SE. Those Mercedes V8s were good engines (the 3.8L, 5.0L and the 5.6L), but timing chain guides and rail changes are critical on the V8 model Mercedes after so many years because they get brittle over time. Has yours been updated yet in your 560? I dont think this was much of an issue on the 3.0L I6.
My mom had a 71 Impala - kind of a root beer (metalic? - eh, maybe not) paint job with a white rag top. Those were sweet rides!
Classic Copper was the name they used in 1971 on Chevy cars. My Chevelle came factory in that color, yes people called it Rootbeer brown.
Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Mitch
The 400 small block. So far I have just replaced the distributor with an adjustable ACCEL one, it still has the original intake and carb. Eventually I have thought about putting on a low-RPM oriented aluminum intake and the smaller Quadrajet (with a mind more towards improving MPG than all-out power). It came with single exhaust, I converted it to dual exhaust.
The 400 small block has a rather larger exhaust valve compared to intake than most SBC and a shorter con-rod, both leaning it more to low RPM torque than high rev power typical of most SBC.
It's not uncommon for the 400 to get better MPG as a 350, even the 350 2V, at the same speeds.
At the end of the day, it's a big thirsty car though.
You're doing real well there Mitch if you're getting 15-17 mpg on a 400 sbc. Most I hear anyone say is more like 10-12. Of course then again they're probably putting their foot into the pedal, hard not to do on a 400 sbc. You are right the 400 sbc came with a 5.565 rod as opposed to the 350's 5.7 rod, the heads used on 400's though were the same 882 castings used on most of the 350's from the 70's. I'm pretty sure they all use the same 1.50 exhaust valve.
'94 Lebaron sedan as the daily driver which made the '90 Lebaron convertible a backup/stand-in/fun car. Wife's daily is a '93 Voyager. All reliable, easy to work on, plentiful parts around, cheap to drive and insure.
Classic Copper was the name they used in 1971 on Chevy cars. My Chevelle came factory in that color, yes people called it Rootbeer brown.
You're doing real well there Mitch if you're getting 15-17 mpg on a 400 sbc. Most I hear anyone say is more like 10-12. Of course then again they're probably putting their foot into the pedal, hard not to do on a 400 sbc. You are right the 400 sbc came with a 5.565 rod as opposed to the 350's 5.7 rod, the heads used on 400's though were the same 882 castings used on most of the 350's from the 70's. I'm pretty sure they all use the same 1.50 exhaust valve.
Well I have not had the heads off, but read in one or another "Rebuild your SBC" book I have around here or maybe it was a reference from David Vizard's excellent "Performance with Mileage" book, that the 400 heads were different, and had characteristics that led to better MPG.
Yeah, the 71 Impala I think came with a 2.73 gear unless it was a wagon, or a police special (which I think got a 3.43 or something like that).
The 400 small block was known to get better MPG than the 350 in identical cars. This is not unusual, the same thing was done with the old Kawasaki KZ 900 and 1000 -the 1000 was built in a milder state of tune, and if ridden side-by-side with a 900, would go as fast but on less gas.
Keep in mind that the 400 SBC block has thinner cylinder walls than the 350, it weighs a bit less (I would think, have not weighed a bunch of blocks to generate actual data)
To get 17 MPG I have to be cruising on open backroads such that there is not much acceleration, and stay below 80 MPH anyway. In an urban environment the MPG would be much worse, have not driven the old girl in a downtown environment in many years.
My car is a 1989 Civic wagon and I love it. It's not the best car I've ever had, but it's the most fun I'd say. Unfortunately, I can tell a previous owner(s) really neglected it, so I've had to replace several things. I'll have to sell it when I move, but I may eventually look for another one when I reach my new city.
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I had a V8 S-Class years ago, but it was a 1985 380SE. Those Mercedes V8s were good engines (the 3.8L, 5.0L and the 5.6L), but timing chain guides and rail changes are critical on the V8 model Mercedes after so many years because they get brittle over time. Has yours been updated yet in your 560? I dont think this was much of an issue on the 3.0L I6.
