I may be crazy for looking at a 1986 F350 4x4 with a 460 in it when I live in California, but this truck is great and everything I've been looking for. Just out of curiosity, what kind of gas mileage could I expect from it?

 

Probably 10 - 12 mpg depending on final drive gears. Some people on the forum report slightly better, some (lead feet,) a lot worse.

 

I'm not sure this truck is "everything you've been looking for". At ten mpg, the front tank has 19 gallon capacity, so you'll drive just 190 miles and get to put in 19 gals at $2.10/gal = $40. Both tanks = 38 gallons, that's $80 for 380 miles.
Then there's the big question of where gas prices are headed over the long haul.
I would consider passing on this dinosaur.

 

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I get 7-10mpg with my 460, the truck also weighs about 6400lbs. I hardly use it though, i manage to put about 8000 miles a year on it, and it is usually pulling a trailer of some kind.

 

I can get 12 to 15 out of mine but it is only a 1/2 ton short box, doesn't matter if I'm pulling the race car or not. The only thing I've noticed that really affects the mileage is my driving. With a 460 in a little truck and loud pipes its hard to stay out of it.

 

I have the same vehicle you describe, I have the 3.55:1 rear, and 49 state emissions. Running empty, I get about 10-11mpg, towing a 30ft 5th wheel, I get 6-7.5mpg depending on speed, terrain and wind. I didn't buy it for economy, but pulling ability.

 

If I were getting 10, I would be happy. Sadly, im getting like 5 to 8 mpg. I think my carb is serously out of adjustment. Choke doesn't function, when its closed it smokes like crazy, right now the choke is wedged open which makes it alot harder to start on those cold days.

 

When I was still driving my mud truck on the road I was getting between 5 and 6. Now that it stays in the slop or on the trailer I have to mesure it in gallons per mile.

However it also has 38's no overdrive, 4.56 gears, and a built 460.

 

You don't buy a truck with a 460 if you're concerned about gas mileage...

I recently bought a '85 F350 diesel dually and my only question was..."How much will it tow?"

 

Amen to that Danny, I bought mine to tow a 30 ft 5th wheel, not for economy. Rupert, sounds like you might need more than a carb adjustment, maybe a complete rebuild. If the power valve is blown, or the secondary metering body is warped, you will have all kinds of issues. If yours has the Motorcraft 4300D on it, your power piston well may be leaking at the bottom gasket.

 

i dunno but I get 8 with my 351m/400

 

Its got the factory Holley, I was hoping for something closer to 10 mpg. And I got it to tow a trailer as well. I know the carb is messed up. I plan on replacing the carb when I get the money to do so. Used it to move from Modesto California to Reno Nevada. And I drive it to work pretty much every day. Intill I can get the wifes van fixed so I can have my car back. I love that truck, even with the stock exhaust it has a nice rumble to it. And it pulls pretty good even with the jacked carb.