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Old 09-24-2017, 01:16 PM   #1
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1982 31' Airstream 310
Amsterdam , Nederland
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Airstream 310 with BB-454 fuel mileage

Hello Guys,

I am interested in how much is your fuel consumption for your eighties Airstreaam 310 equipped with Chevy Big Block 454 engine. I am considering buying one, and this would be really a decisive factor to rebuild the 454 or replace with a modern one. Appreciate your help with this. Thank you.
Peter
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Old 09-24-2017, 02:29 PM   #2
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7mpg if you are lucky.....add an overdrive and convert to autogaz rather than changing the engine in Europe, you will maybe get 8-9mpg but autogas is half the cost of petrol over here. If the engine needs changing then then look for a donor truck with a 8.1Vortec/Allison trans
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Old 09-24-2017, 04:16 PM   #3
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What's that saying.....if your first question concerning the purchase of a 14,000 lb 7.4L 454 carbureted powered 80's RV is, "what kind of mileage will I get?"........

They did make a turbo diesel option, like mine, which gets considerably better mileage.

Cheers
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Old 09-24-2017, 09:06 PM   #4
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I suspect the real question is "What mileage...". Oh, sorry, that was a statement....[emoji3]
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Old 09-25-2017, 05:44 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peteralbert View Post
Hello Guys,

I am interested in how much is your fuel consumption for your eighties Airstreaam 310 equipped with Chevy Big Block 454 engine. I am considering buying one, and this would be really a decisive factor to rebuild the 454 or replace with a modern one. Appreciate your help with this. Thank you.
Peter
If you are planning on crossing the Alps, 3-5mpg, otherwise 6-8.
The anticipated amount of miles driven needs to be in the equation, if you are trying to save money.
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Old 09-25-2017, 11:20 AM   #6
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1984 34.5' Airstream 345
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Mpg

I agree with what PeterH said
I own an airstream 345 with the 454 V8 carbureted engine
I live in Illinois and drive it primarily in Illinois in a little bit Wisconsin, 8 miles to the gallon is about the best I get.
Usually it's closer to 5 to 6 MPG
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Old 09-25-2017, 12:42 PM   #7
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1984 27' Airstream 270
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Last trip: I90, Mass Pike, Hills included, about 300 miles round trip.
1984 27 footer 454 with TBI, towing about 2500 pounds of trailer with 4 wheeler.
I measured 7.3 MPG

Edit to add, I did use the generator for about 2 hours, but that should be less than a gallon for that, 38 gallons for the trip
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Old 09-25-2017, 12:47 PM   #8
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All the above.

And, changing to another gas engine won't help.

Careful planning and execution of an upgrade to diesel may help some, but the cash spent to complete the swap will purchase a LARGE amount of gasoline.

Unless one drives a lot of miles, I doubt an return-on-investment would be reached.

With no intent to insult anyone, I agree with the posts above: If the first question is about MPG, a vintage motorhome may not be the best choice.

The costs of repair and maintenance are more worrisome than fuel.




Regards,

JD
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Old 09-25-2017, 01:49 PM   #9
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UK gallon is obviously different to US. I reckon I get 14 from my 454 tbi 4l80e overdrive on a nice run in France.
Peter is right, the mountains are horrific (for fuel consumption) and exhilarating in equal measure
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Old 09-25-2017, 01:50 PM   #10
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LPG is the way to go in Europe
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Old 10-11-2017, 03:14 AM   #11
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1986 34.5' Airstream 345
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7 MPG here on average towing my Jeep. Newer RVs don't do much better, my Ford Class C got about 5 MPG. It was fuel injected and much smaller, 460 engine though. Some of the modern RVs are reported to get about 12 MPG, not worth the trade off compared to driving one of these!
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Old 10-12-2017, 01:01 AM   #12
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1982 31' Airstream 310
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transmission?

so then as I see it is not really the engine, but the transmission/overdrive that could help to improve MPG, correct?
Additionally to consider changing to LPG , which is not really an opion. Otherwise retrofiting an injector...
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Old 10-12-2017, 04:20 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peteralbert View Post
so then as I see it is not really the engine, but the transmission/overdrive that could help to improve MPG, correct?
Additionally to consider changing to LPG , which is not really an opion. Otherwise retrofiting an injector...
Best & cheapest thing for better MPG is a well tuned engine, minimum weight on board, and reasonable speed.
Any modifications you do trying for better performance that go over $1000 will likely take you years to recoup.

I replaced my carb with TBI fuel injection. That cost me a bit over $1K. If anything, I may have a 1 to 2 MPG increase, but for me the value was in improved engine response and instant starting.

Others upgrade their tranny and get good results but again, a MH is already a money pit to maintain, once you start upgrades, chose wisely!

If you plan to go to town with the project, hopefully you have unlimited funds, and a understanding copilot/family.
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Old 10-12-2017, 04:49 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WayneG View Post
Best & cheapest thing for better MPG is a well tuned engine, minimum weight on board, and reasonable speed.
Any modifications you do trying for better performance that go over $1000 will likely take you years to recoup.

I replaced my carb with TBI fuel injection. That cost me a bit over $1K. If anything, I may have a 1 to 2 MPG increase, but for me the value was in improved engine response and instant starting.

Others upgrade their tranny and get good results but again, a MH is already a money pit to maintain, once you start upgrades, chose wisely!

If you plan to go to town with the project, hopefully you have unlimited funds, and a understanding copilot/family.
Wayne, based on peteralbert's location this really isn't the case. In Europe LPG costs half gasoline. Current average gas prices in Nederlands is €1.59/L vs LPG at €0.71/L. Assuming 7mpg (US gallon) is basically 2mpL so switching to LPG saves €0.44/mile if the mileage is not degraded by the switch.
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Old 10-12-2017, 05:51 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662 View Post
Wayne, based on peteralbert's location this really isn't the case. In Europe LPG costs half gasoline. Current average gas prices in Nederlands is €1.59/L vs LPG at €0.71/L. Assuming 7mpg (US gallon) is basically 2mpL so switching to LPG saves €0.44/mile if the mileage is not degraded by the switch.
The cost for onboard fuel storage and engine conversion is going to be huge but I guess if you planning on tens of thousands of miles of usage, it may balance out.
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Old 10-12-2017, 09:23 AM   #16
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There is a fella in Netherlands who has switched to LPG. He had the work done there. He has a 250. PM me if u want contact details
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Old 10-12-2017, 02:47 PM   #17
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i enjoyed my 454 equpped Airsrtream a lot, but the 5 to 7 miles per gallon drove me to sell it
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Old 10-13-2017, 05:17 AM   #18
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1982 31' Airstream 310
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I am still considering nevertheless the petrol option. My idea is a full RV renovation, including engine and transmission swap or at least the transmission.
Just wonder how to manage a frame off restoration and what is worthwhile to get done in US before shipping the RV to Europe...

Best would be all the technical parts done there (engine, transmission, undercarriage, suspensions, etc,) there and then in Europe, only focusing on teh interior.
I am dreaming about something like this:
http://arcairstreams.co.uk/blog/2016...310-motorhome/

Of course not in a 1 year horizon....
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Old 11-19-2017, 10:05 AM   #19
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There is another guy in the Netherlands who put a Duramax in his.
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Old 11-19-2017, 11:47 PM   #20
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Thanks for your reply. What is a Duramax?
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