When I bought mine, it was getting about 9mpg. I did a complete tune up on it (92K with the origanal plugs, wires, cap and rotor). And it did nothing. I put a cold air intake on it and ran strait pipes, it did nothing. I just put knew tires on it, and again, nothing. But, thats a ford 460 for ya. I've got all the power I'd ever need though.
If your truck has over 50k miles on it and it still has the original oxygen sensor--replace the oxygen sensor.
I did on my 105k 1992 F150 and got an immediate~ 1 MPG increase--with better throttle response.
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92 F150 XLT 4x4 regular cab/short box.5.0 V8,5sp trans ,108k miles-- on synthetic oil. Trailering/Handling option(stabilizer bars front /rear and quad shocks).Factory skid plates,manual hubs, manual transfercase, Super Cooling.4.09/4.10LS.31'' tires. 20.3 MPG @ 60 MPH.4350 lbs with full tank of gas!!
Remember first and foremost, these things were not built with fuel economy in mind.
They're as aerodynamic as a brick, turned sideways.
If you do a bunch of highway, keep the speed under 65. That makes a BIG difference as wind resistance increases with velocity. If anyone thinks that means it'll take to long to get where you're going, then don't complain about gas. I can't tell you how many people I listen to in th office every day crying that thier new car doesn't get 30 mpg like it should, only to find out they're doing 80 on the expressway.
If you do a lot of city, use smooth, slow starts. Don't go half throttle at every light. You might make the people behind you crabby, but what are they going to do, ram you? Avoid sudden stops if you can, anticipate lights and signs and coast up to them if it's safe. You don't have to have your foot on the gas right up until the second you need to hit the brakes.
Make sure you have any extra weight out of the truck. Keep the tires inflated properly, keep up on general maintenence.
Depending on the rear end you have, numbers can go up or down compared to other peoples'. If you can squeak out 15hwy I wouldn't expect anything more.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver Streak
You're having problems because some butthole put the wrong one on your truck.
1990 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat Supercab - 5.0/E4OD - Off to that big wreckers in the sky...*sniff*
1) Unload all the junk in the bed and the cab
2) Inflate the tires to 5 psi over the factory's recommended PSI
3) Convert all fluids to 100% synthetic
4) Ensure the engine is operating at its best temperature
5) New Spark, plugs, wires, distributor cap & rotor, coil, set ignition timing
6) Accelerate SLOWLY
7) Do not go above 65 for any reason at all
8) Install a vacuum gauge
9) Tune carburetor for economy
10) DEDICATED EXPIREMENTING 24/7!
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You can call me "Jerm" or "Jer" ...or just call me Chad!
Overinflating tires cause premature wear and breaking problems. The mileage does increase marginally though. Having high profile tires properly inflated is the best scenario.
1993 F150 302 somesortofautomatic. F350 front springs, bed liner, tool box, ugly tail gate. One thing you can say about a F series truck is it's as aerodynamic as a brick, turned sideways.
Thanks for the input!!
Many great ideas, I think I'm already doing most of them. I know how much sane driving can do. When I used to raise more hell than I do now my license got revoked for 3 years, kept driving (like grandma though, slow and easy) didn't pick up on the difference then. But when I got my license back I went back to tearing up the streets and almost immediately noticed how much gas I burned up driving fast, I think it cut my mileage in half.
Hey Jermafenser, what will installing a vacuum gauge do? Does synthetic really make a difference?
I think Virto said it best,
"Remember first and foremost, these things were not built with fuel economy in mind.
They're as aerodynamic as a brick, turned sideways. "
Thanks again guys
You can use the vac gage to keep your acceleration in check. When it dips down, you are drinking gas. When it is high, you are sipping gas. Synthetic oil really does help.
1993 F150 302 somesortofautomatic. F350 front springs, bed liner, tool box, ugly tail gate. One thing you can say about a F series truck is it's as aerodynamic as a brick, turned sideways.
If you ask me 9-11 mpg is still low, that truck should be able to do better than that strictly city driving, and much better strictly highway. What gearing does it have? And have you pulled the codes recently?
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Paul O
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1990 F150 4x4 XLT Extended Cab (Currently undergoing a heart transplant)
1990 Ranger 2wd, 2.3 Briggs & Stratten, 5-speed, 3.08
On my 92 F-150 4X4 with a 302 and a 5 speed manual tranmission, I installed a set of March underdrive pulleys and my milage went from 11 mpg to 13. This was hand caculated over 3 tanks of fuel before the install and 5 tanks of fuel after the install. This was all local driving with no highway driving. I purchased this pulley set used which were only installed for a short period of time. The powder coating only showed slight wear. If I were to do it again, I would buy the steel pulleys instead of the aluminum ones. The waterpump pulley has worn down a good amount.
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