milage help!!!
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Joined: Mar 2011
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milage help!!!
Hi. I'm new here and havent quite figured all this out. But here is my question. I have a 1979 f-150 xlt 4x4 with the I6, factory air, 4spd creeper and according to the tag on the 9" center section it has 4.11 gears. All the emission stuff for the most part has been removed and vacuum lines plugged(previous owner). The truck has 85,000 orig. miles and it seems to be averaging about 10.6 mpg. Running at 55mph its taching at around 2700-2800 rpm. Was wondering what I can do to improve it. Have a center here with 3.55's but wasnt sure how much of a diff. I would see in rpm drop or milage. Any help would be appreciated before I tear into it. Thanks, Keith
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 602
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From: Maryland
haha...i have the same problem, but from what im told, these trucks dont get good mileage anyways, but obviously they aint no honda...haha. The only things i could recommend is a good tune-up, maybe loose some weight-(the truck)-, and maybe a free-er flowing exhaust and air filter, and not that i would do it, but smaller tires
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 262
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From: Pleasant Hill, Mo.
You don't have to get a Honda for good mileage! You could go with a sweet restromod and put Fords new eco boost motor in there. That would be a sweet build! I would start like what mdr617 said. Go with headers k&n air filter and small skinny tires. Gears is a good plus also along with a five speed. The time and money going with the 3-5 mpg you would save wouldn't be worth it though in my opinion.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
The fact that all the emissions equipment is removed and/or plugged is part of the problem. An EGR motor is tuned to compensate for the altered combustion chemistry introduced by an EGR valve. Without it, the engine will run lean, and the timing too advanced - and often times the motor will be "over-tuned" by a previous owner to compensate, when all it does is make the problem worse. If somebody removes the EGR system from an EGR motor, they must rejet the carburetor and recurve the distributor. But even then, you're only back to where you started, at best - there's no point in doing any of this anyway.
Let this thread be an example for those who tell others on this forum to get rid of all of the "smog junk."
And as always, a tune-up is always a good idea for a new-to-you truck. That may help some too.
Let this thread be an example for those who tell others on this forum to get rid of all of the "smog junk."
And as always, a tune-up is always a good idea for a new-to-you truck. That may help some too.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 507
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From: Pasadena US
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From: Mississippi
X2 what FMC said. The low gears are killing you too. My '76 4x4 360 and same trans you have gets around 9.5 around town and 12 mpg on the hwy running 60-65 mph. Thats with 33'' tires and 3.50 rear end. If you change the rears, what will you do about the front gears?
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RacerRick
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jul 29, 2005 11:18 AM
