<VV> 140 HP fuel consumption

[David B. Neale]

The rising price of fuel understandably exercises Corvair owners.  A (US) gallon of fuel here in England is now, in my area, a little more than $8.  Each week sees the price increase by a penny or so.

In the case of 140 HP engines, provided that the secondary carburettors are not opened, and assuming that the carburettors are in good order and adjusted correctly, is there any reason why the fuel consumption would be any worse than for engines with just two carburettors?  Naturally, if the secondaries are opened, there must be an increase in consumption. However, in 'normal' driving, is there any significant penalty in fuel consumption in the case of engines with four carburettors, where the secondaries are not activated?

With the price of fuel being what it is, I would consider removing the secondaries from my engine, but if there is no significant penalty when driven such that they are only  very occasionally activated, I suppose there would be little advantage in removing them.  

Can anyone advise, please? Thank-you!

David Neale
Leicestershire, England

'65 Monza convertible with 4-speed and 140 HP