Bugtech ,  Your right about the mpg.  The EPA mpg for the V70 is 25 mpg Hwy
Mine is  24  highway. We both are beating the EPA Hwy mpg rating.

 One thing that may be hurting me is that on these roads around lafayette I dont ever get fast enough to get the torque converter to lock up..  Most of the time the tach is at 2300 at 50 mph.  sometimes things kick in and it drops to 2100 at 50mph

But we get 31-32 mpg on the road @ 65-70 mph. Cruise control helps a lot

Quote from: Ret.Bugtech on June 17, 2012, 02:04:59 PM

Did you "tear" that short block down ?

Yes, I have money for you

O'boy !!   I love that when it happens

I have said this one too many times when posting on your threads:
"I see dead people..."
KC

You don't want to run a car battery in your car like that. They give off hydrogen gas which could be explosive if not properly vented outside.

When the battery fumes eat the seat covers off it will lighten the car and you will get even more MPG.

Just in case you didn't see this already.

A 12 volt alternator putting out 110 amperes creates 110x12 or 1320 watts. One horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts. 1320 watts equal 1320/746 = 1.77 horsepower.
 
To that you will have to add an allowance for friction and other inefficiencies.

That's One Point Seven Seven horsepower at max output (which you're not close to).

You're wasting your time.

Instead of trying to lighten the load on the alternator, maybe you should be trying to put that thing to work making your engine more effecient.

Joy's uncle just showed me a factory built hydrogen generator set-up he recently installed on his Toyota Tundra pickup.  He claims over the last 4000 miles, he's already saved enough in fuel cost to offset the $300 he paid for the kit.  It's a pretty clean looking installation and creates hydrogen on demand (well, it actually creates "Brown's Gas" which is hydrogen and oxygen . . . the "perfect" fuel . . . burns into water).  That gas is fed into the intake just before the throttle and supposedly increases the efficency of combustion.  He claims he's average milage jumped 5 to 6 mpg.

The good thing about this system is a itty bitty amount of water turns into a WHOLE LOT of gas. 

Dude, it's an old Volvo.  The gas mileage is going to suck since it's a box on wheels with aerodynamics that are only slightly better than a city bus.  Put the belts back on it, turn the A/C on and go buy a Geo Metro if seeing high MPG numbers makes you giggle like a schoolgirl.

Dubtech, the more I read your posts - the more I relate to you.
LOL.
KC