What is the average fuel economy supposed to be for a 1973 F350 with a 360 engine in it? What modifications can I do to improve fuel economy, boost torque, and horse power?

 

welcome to FTE. what do you plan to do with it? what are you willing to spend? Which Tranny do you have?

 

Well it's a dump truck and I will be hauling mulch and rock with it, and it has a four speed manual tranny and I am not looking to spend much right now but I will spend more in the future as new clients contact me for hauling.

 

1st thing id do is go to an overdrive, ither a overdrive tranny OR a gearvendors auxilary type set up, the gear vendors would be nice if your running loaded becouse you could turn your 4 spd into an 8 by slit shifting like the old 2 tons with the high low axil, however the gear vendors tend to get pricey and may not be the way u want to go if your trying to pinch pennys

 

Alright that's a good idea what about a points eliminator kit? What are some options for relocating the fuel tank somewhere and using a poly tank?

 

It is generally difficult to improve MPG and HP/Torque all at the same time. For the second two I would look at a 460 swap.

 

Well lets shoot for fuel economy first then work on the rest later

 

Your best bet for "economy," if there is such a thing with a 360 is simply tune it the best you can and live it. Eliminating the points will give you a bit more reliabilty in my opinion, but wont necessarily make a difference at the pump.

 

i totaly agree the 460 is an awsome engine anyway you look at it but again gearing and proper tires are essential to your mileage on any engine your never gonna get "great" mileage with any of these v8's but u can get good mileage for a v8 and that is always a classic battle of hp/torqe vs mileage .....good luck im interested to see how well u manage

 

I think will stick with the idea of running this cheap truck long enough to pay for itself then buy a bigger stronger beast and use this for winter firewood.

 

My 1973 F250 Camper Special with a 390, 2bbl carb, gets between 12 and 13 if I conscientiously keep my foot off of it. Realistically, I'm getting 10 driving like I do, loaded or not.

 

Well it appears I won't be getting my truck anytime soon since the damn motor is stuck the guy that is selling it to me is trying to get it freed up but if he can't he's got some other motors in his yard that might work .

 

You could always put headers on it, which should improve both power and mileage.

 

Can't burn much less gas than this!!!

If it needs a motor and you still want it. Look for a 390. Bolt in more power with the same or maybe better mileage.