Will my mileage improve?

[wezol5484]

My truck is only running 6 cylinders due to bad valve seats (no compression) and im getting terrible gas milage. Well this spring break im getting new (rebuilt) heads to fix this problem and I was thinking about getting an Edlebrock carb and Edlebrock intake. Well the WHOLE purpose of getting rebuilt heads is to get better than 6 MPG, will the new intake and carb defiet this whole purpose or will it not affect it much? I would like to hear from as many people as possible so I can make the best decision.
My truck is a 76 F-150 Ranger with a 360
Thanks
Dyaln

[LxMan1]

If driven normally, it should increase the mileage. The front barrels of the carb are smaller that a 2bbl so less fuel should be used. Plus the aluminum intake will take about 50lbs off of the front of the truck. Less weight, easier to move on down the road. Use a 1406 carb and you should see a decent improvement.

Jimmy

[FordPickup460]

The new intake and carb and heads should get you better than 6, possibly 8-10 mpg.

[71LTD390]

It should improve. My 360 has a couple stuck rings from sitting for 7 years. When I got it I did the usual tune up, replaced the EGR valve, and replaced the leaking vacuum advance on the distributor. Also rebuilt the carb. And even with the old tired smoking 360 it still gets 11 mpg. That includes warming it up for about 10 minutes each morning.

[wezol5484]

cool thanks. I also have another question..
Spring break I will be replacing my heads if everything goes to plan. Im really excited about gettin new heads . My step uncle is lettin me work on his farm for a week, 7 12 hr days at $6/hr. So im using that money for the heads. Well back to my question, is there any thing i should look out for when doing this? What should and shouldnt i do? Just need some info about the things im gonna run into. Maybe some hints and what not.
Thanks
dylan

[Matts72]

When you get the heads rebuilt, install some stainless steel valves, and have a three angle valve job done. It should add little to the cost.

you can probably get some used heads out of a junkyard, and have those built prior to your time off from school, and then it will be a relatively easy job. On the 360/390FE's, the intake goes under the valve cover so you might as well do it all at once.

[wezol5484]

Im gettin rebuilt heads from a place in dallas called Blanes Auto. I get them for $95 a piece, but I have to bring in my old heads in and give them to them. Heres the link and if ya want check it out and see if it sounds like a good deal.
http://www.blainesmotorsupply.com/descriptions.asp
If you scroll down and read under Reconditioned Heads...do they come with everything or do I need to get rocker arms or any thing else?
Im a little confused with this.
Heres the home page
http://www.blainesmotorsupply.com

[400 Ford]

Wezol5484,
I have as 400 in my '79 F150 4wd. I was getting about 7 mpg with the old Motorcraft 2 bbl carb and poor performance. I rebuilt in a parking lot in Colorado and got 7 mpg and poor performance all the way home. Moral of the story is butterfly rod was worn badly. After putting a Weiand Performer 4bbl with a torque range of 0-5500 RPMs and a Holley 600 cfm 4 bbl I now get 9 mpg uphill downhill city highway and in the parking lot. It eats a lot of gas but the acceleration and driveability are remarkably improved. I put a K&N air filter on it and that was a jump in acceleration & Horsepower. I also installed 3 electric fans two on the back pulling and 1 on the front of the radiator pushing. With a 180 degree thermostat it ran fine through last summer in Kansas with 110 degree days. The electric fans leave more horses for the rear wheels where I like 'em. I used the fans from a parts store with the flat blades. Having your radiator cleaned will help keep her cool too. Some large V8s don't seem to get enough cooling from electric fans but mine was ok.

[73Custom]

Originally posted by wezol5484
do they come with everything or do I need to get rocker arms or any thing else?[/url]

They should be just heads with the valves and springs installed. You will reuse your old rockers and push rods - as long as they look okay, nothing bent or broken. Try to keep the pushrods and rockers in order so they go to the same cylinder as they came off - safer that way.

Keep the cylinders clean. Wipe out any antifreeze that gets into them - a light coat of oil or wd40 is a good idea. Have a clean dry surface for the head gasket - no oil, sealer or rtv.

At the front and rear of the intake, I prefer to use a large bead of silicone instead of the gasket. I replaced the intake gaskets on my 390 twice because of oil leaks out the back, then used silicone and no leaks since.

Good time to change antifreeze, thermostat and check hoses...

You will really like the Edelbrock carb. I run a 600cfm Ebrock on my 390 and it's great. I get 10-12mpg and I very happy with the way it performs. Your new heads will help a lot too.

Marty

[wezol5484]

Awesome thanks for the info everyone. Id love to have an Edlebrock but i dunno if ill have enough money left over. I just replaced the thermostat and hoses are fine from what i can tell. No cracks. How do you adjust the rocker arms properly? Ive done alot of work on my truck but Im pretty much a newbie when it comes to internals. I know how an engine works but Ive never tore one down let alone put it back together. So Im tryin to get the most info as i can before I make a mess of things .
Ive heard you use a feeler gauge to help adjust the rockers but Im not exaclty sure on how to actually use it.
Thanks agian for the info.
Dylan