Gas Mileage
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Gas Mileage
I'm not expecting to get great gas mileage out of my 1966 F250, you drive something like that for the look and the feel, not for the economy. But I'm wondering what I can do to get the most out of a tank of gas. It's driveable right now, I'm just wondering if there is anything that I can do to get a little more between fillups than I'm currently getting. It's got the V8 352 in it. Any help would be appreciated!
and the Slicks Forum. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,712
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From: Near Yosemite CA
Welcome to FTE griff28! Best bet for better mileage,,, push it,,,pa push it real good! Hahahaha
Seriously, if you get better than 10-12 be HAPPY!! Every 352 I've ever had got 10-12, empty, loaded, haulin A$$, or going slow. My current 66 F100, has the 240 I-6 and T-18 and I can get 18 going down to Fresno and back IF I keep it at 55 or below, go above 60, poo.
Keep it tuned up, keep tires aired up and coast often,,, AND rinse and repeat and ENJOY!!
Seriously, if you get better than 10-12 be HAPPY!! Every 352 I've ever had got 10-12, empty, loaded, haulin A$$, or going slow. My current 66 F100, has the 240 I-6 and T-18 and I can get 18 going down to Fresno and back IF I keep it at 55 or below, go above 60, poo.
Keep it tuned up, keep tires aired up and coast often,,, AND rinse and repeat and ENJOY!!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,091
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From: Tucson, Arizona
F250s were intended to be hard working trucks and were therefore geared accordingly, usually with axle ratios like 4.10 or 4.56 which isn't going to be fuel economy friendly. Still, with a good tune-up, get the timing and vacuum right, you might get it up to 10 in town and a little better on the road, but as John said, not very fast. Good luck!
More of them getting 7 than not. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Is it running stupid rich, or do plugs look OK? Rebuild carb, check how much vacuum engine pulls and make sure the timing is sussed out esp. that vacuum advance is working right. While it's true mileage won't ever be stellar, best fuel economy possible means it is in fact tuned well by definition (you can quit for a while too), there isn't raw fuel washing down the cylinders etc. It will run better, start better and produce less pollution.
A vac gauge and a timing light will pay for itself quick. If you're at altitude (Utah) you may be able to lean it out some with jetting change if indicated. Be careful going too far with advancing timing and leaning out air/fuel mixtures. But, if it was a flatlander truck in a prior life especially it may likely need both jetting change and probably the power valve (or "economizer") size adjusted. If the highway cruise manifold vacuum is real low, altitude high, the power valve may remain open, basically all the time meaning lots of $$$ out the tailpipe.
Welcome to FTE btw
A vac gauge and a timing light will pay for itself quick. If you're at altitude (Utah) you may be able to lean it out some with jetting change if indicated. Be careful going too far with advancing timing and leaning out air/fuel mixtures. But, if it was a flatlander truck in a prior life especially it may likely need both jetting change and probably the power valve (or "economizer") size adjusted. If the highway cruise manifold vacuum is real low, altitude high, the power valve may remain open, basically all the time meaning lots of $$$ out the tailpipe.
Welcome to FTE btw
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brider
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jun 11, 2012 10:09 PM
