So up here in Santa Barbara gas prices are sitting around $4.50 a gallon, $4.70 a gallon at the gas stations by UCSB, getting 10 mpg in the 63 is starting to get expensive, so im starting so consider doing the transmission swap and rear axle re-gear sooner than i had planned. i was originally going to get the rust on the drip rails and running boards fixed before i did the drive train work, should i continue as planned or go with the drive train swap first?

Dave

 

Tranny swap dude. The money saved in gas can go toward the body work. The total turn around time for both projects will be shorter that way.

 

Tranny swap will be the most expensive, but you will have a more flexible truck combo. The down side is that a trans swap can run from $600 to $1500 for a basic type swap. Obviously luck, and hard work seaching can keep prices down the most.

Or you could go with a 3.23 gear which should be pretty good for a sbf, but you would need a auto tranny to make it work. The good side you can do it for less then $500 looking to about $1000 just getting the stuff.

I know you posted about headers for your truck which will help city mileage, but have you done a electric fan? I have had direct drive fans and they can easy kill 4-8 mpgs depending on a few things.

I would do the electric fan first becouse it will cost less then $200 buying the best out there to keep your motor cool, and provide one hell of a bang for the buck. Plus it frees up hp for a OD conversion since you'd likely be lugging the motor a bit more then a 302 would like?

 

Yeah hes got an E fan. It helped noticeably.

 

I filled up my new pile in Santa Barbara a coupla weeks ago, 87 regular was cheaper ($4.12 gallon) than it was here in LA LA Land ($4.23 a gallon).

There isn't much you can do with a truck that has the aerodynamics of a brick to improve highway MPG. There is nothing you can do to improve city MPG.

The cheapest solution is to have the tires properly inflated, the front end aligned, and to drive slower.

1963 F100: The common rear axle ratios are 3.70-1 or 3.89-1, depends on the trans. Swapping in a 3.00-1 or 3.25-1 ratio means it will take more gas to get it moving from a dead stop.

IMO: You can spend a grand or ten grand, but you are just throwing your money away, as the gain will only be a paltry coupla MPG. The money spent will buy a heck of a lotta gasoline.

 

like trey posted above ive got an E-fan and im already running 3.25s with a C4

 

You hear that David? Drive SLOWER

Learn to use the pedals like I do. Only when you need to. Plus most people think that the gas pedal is the enemy. Wrong. The brake pedal is the one you want to avoid. Think about how much energy is being wasted when you step on the brake.

 

Driving 65 vs 55: The gas mileage drops 20-25%. Driving slower is the cheapest solution for improving fuel economy, and it doesn't cost a penny, it save pennies.

 

ya im already doing 55 on the freeways, im trying to find other things to do to the truck that would help.

 

Yes David, but you don't need to be going 55 by the time you cross the intersection
In my truck I keep it below 2000 rpm. Idk how that scales to your truck but find an rpm that works for you and try not to go over it.

 

Must admit with gas prices of late the 65 w/ the 390 has been collecting dust and been driving the 65 w/ 302 on daily basis. Commute from NoCal to Central Ca,; Kern Co., or faily reg. basis, 300 mi's from door to door, make it on 1 tank with the 302, and with the 390 I stop counting after the 3rd stop.

 

with the gearing in the 63 55 on the freeway is around 2200 rpm

 

what gearing are you running?

 

The 65 w/ the 302 has the T18 and A9 axle ratio: 3:54. Believe the other 65 has same rear axle ratio with 3sp. O.D. It's currently being stored in Central Ca. Swapped from 2v Holley carb to 4v carb and although have not noticed any significant diff. in mpg, kinda wish I stayed w/ the 2v carb.

 

I think NumberDummy has it right. I've seen the biggest mileage gains, by far, by driving like an old lady and by being careful coming out of stop lights, etc.