Km/ gallon? Miles/ litre?

[HBG]

We buy fuel in litres and my car has a km speedo but I still think of fuel economy in terms of mpg.

After a bit of maths I reckon my mpg from a couple of tanks used going to and from Belgium was 27mpg and 31mpg. My speedo isn't totally accurate so there is some tolerance to be applied.

Does this sound about right for a 1.3?

Thanks

[lancialulu]

Seems a bit thirsty. handbook says 31.7mpg

[Spider2]

HBG, you are a senior member, like me so there is only one expression of consumption/economy:  MPG.
Also my speedo/odometer is in KM, very useful for last year's grand European trip of nearly 4,000 KM. The tank was filled to briming everytime and the litres converted to gallons and the distance converted into miles. We did not drive sedately and the MPG was always between 35 and 37, much better than the book. I have a 1.3S sport and take a lot of time cleaning, tuning and balancing the carbs every spring. That is using 98/99 octane fuel. On the few occasions I had to use 95 the MPG dropped to about 33/34.
The car performed perfectly, used less than a litre of oil. Driving over the Alps and decending to the Lakes is one of the marvels of owning an Italian sports car. Parking a Fuvia Zagato outside a busy Italian rstaurant does ensure getting a good table!
I took quite a comprehensive box of spares to ensure I did not need any of them.
Planning the next epic voyage now, but I think it will be the other side of Italy, Veneto district and may be a little way down into Croatia. Luckily my wife enjoys this kind of touring as much as I do and, much to my annoyance, drives the Zagato every bit as well as I think I do.
Roll on May/June

[HBG]

Senior? Early middle age perhaps! But mpg never the less.

So either I have a heavy right foot (quite likely) or it's a bit rich. Is that the way carbs would cause higher fuel consumption, by being rich? The carbs were balanced some months ago and the car behaves well, doesn't use oil, and recently passed a MOT with an emissions test showing pass. I should get the emissions results out and have a closer look.

Have to agree that driving over the alps is spectacular. Last year on the penultimate day of our bike trip we left Zurich heading south to the Furka and Grimsel passes. A previous day included the Stelvio with descent into Switzerland.

Nicole has yet to drive the Fulvia and doesn't find the seats that comfortable......not sure when our first full touring holiday in the Fulvia will take place but I'd certainly like to schedule one.

[HBG]

Would be keen to know how to perform carb tuning and how you measure the results.

[lancialulu]

Seems a bit thirsty. handbook says 31.7mpg

This is for a 1.3 coupe. The Sport is slipperier and higher geared so will deliver higher mpg. My 1600 Sport will achieve over 33 mpg on a long continental tour at 130kph all day long.

[lancianut666]

Back in the day I ran a S2 coupe as a callow youth that without touching anything under the bonnet was doing 30mpg used as a daily driver and was deemed as far too thirsty. A quick look under the bonnet revealed a rather grubby air filter so this was changed and the mpg jumped to 35mpg so the car was kept as this was nearer to the 40mpg I was getting from the Hillman Imp I had at the time. I know it is a cliche but that car was the best handling car I have driven especially against things like vauxhall vivas and minis, the Hillman Imp is another story. A look at the Autocar road test of a 1.2 coupe would be interesting as it shows mpg at constant speeds.
Clarkey

[Spider2]

Unless you have modifid your car to run Webers the solex carbs are a bit of a PITA to set up correctly. Getting the fuel level correct in the float bowl is tricky and the main jets are not acccessible without taking the carbs off.  I have taken the carbs off so many times I now know the little tricks to make it relatively easy.
Last year I sripped the carbs and put all the bits and the jets in an ultra sonic cleaner. It did make a big difference. Balancing the carbs is simple and getting the idle/slow running mixture is old school fiddling with a small screw driver with the mixture srews.
Omicron publish a good leaflet on how to set up these carbs and there is a lot of information here on the forums. It is not rocket science and worth while getting to know how they work.

[Spider2]

Tim,
I dont have the figures but my 1.3 sport is S1 4 speed. Is this higher geared than a 5 speed S2 coupe?.

[lancialulu]

Tim,
I dont have the figures but my 1.3 sport is S1 4 speed. Is this higher geared than a 5 speed S2 coupe?.

yes.... 10/37 v 11/43. book gives 1.3 Sport 33.6mpg

On Solex there is a relatively easy check on float level.... Never had to do main jet overhaul. If the there is rubbish then it finds the smaller galleries first. I suspect Howard's carbs just need a  tune. If the balance isnt spot on a lot more fuel is used.

[Spider2]

I agree. Do the basics first. Change the air filter. Buy an airflow meter (£35) and balance the carbs, it is a simple operation and plenty of help on the web as to how to do it. Then adjust the idle mixture screws and balance the carbs again. Engine must be hot, not just warm when the mixtures are adjusted.
2 hours work will probably show a big improvement. Most of the 2 hours is taken up taking off the air filter box.

[Spider2]

Howard,
where abouts are you? If you are not too far away I would be happy to come around and show you how to do it. I'm Surrey/Kent border

[HBG]

I'm in Finchley, North London suburbs but not adverse to a drive. Perhaps I can pop over one weekend? Would appreciate some direction.

[lancialulu]

Of course the old adage is before tuning the carburettors everything else should be maintained (tappets, ignition timing, distributor, valve timing).... If a 123 distributor is fitted has the correct advance curve been selected etc etc

[HBG]

Think all of those things are good/ recently checked. Haven't changed the air filter in my ownership however.