Improving the gas milage....
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Improving the gas milage....
First let me just say it makes me sick to dummy down my truck 
, but the price of gas is killing me....
I have a 1978 F-250 460 V8 Dana60 4.10 possi with 30 inch tires. I get about 8 mpg. I want to improve the gas milage. I don't much care about the tow capacity. I'm wondering if I put 33 inch tires and a 3.54 gear in the dana60, if this would improve my gas milage?
Also if those changes work (out side of getting another truck), is there anything else that might help?
Thanks nlhawk
, but the price of gas is killing me....I have a 1978 F-250 460 V8 Dana60 4.10 possi with 30 inch tires. I get about 8 mpg. I want to improve the gas milage. I don't much care about the tow capacity. I'm wondering if I put 33 inch tires and a 3.54 gear in the dana60, if this would improve my gas milage?
Also if those changes work (out side of getting another truck), is there anything else that might help?
Thanks nlhawk
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Go with the 3.54' and the 30' tires. You go much lower and it will get worse because the converter will slip too much.
I am going from 3.00 to 3.50's and keeping my 32" tires to get the 2mpg back that I lost from removing 3.50's and installing the 3.00's.
I am going from 3.00 to 3.50's and keeping my 32" tires to get the 2mpg back that I lost from removing 3.50's and installing the 3.00's.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Yes, my trans is a C6. When you say the converter, do you mean the torque converter? also if I am understanding this correctly, the 3.54 and the 33" tires will cause it to slip?
sorry, I'm pretty new to this.
Thanks for the replies.
nlhawk
sorry, I'm pretty new to this.
Thanks for the replies.
nlhawk
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Anything that requires increased torque from the engine will increase the slip rate of the torque converter. It is more effective to change the diff ratio than it is to change tire size. Big meats will often wear faster negating any gains in fuel mileage.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info. I'll keep my 30" tires and just change the gear ratio to 3.54.
I just found out that my Torque Converter Model number is FM43, but I'm not sure who the manufacturer is. I've been looking on the net all evening for any info on it, but can't find anything. I'd like to find out the specs and stall speed etc. Anyone know where I can go look these up?
Also I'm thinking of changing the 460 engine to a 302. Will this work? Are they interchangable in my truck? Or should I ask this in another forum?
I just found out that my Torque Converter Model number is FM43, but I'm not sure who the manufacturer is. I've been looking on the net all evening for any info on it, but can't find anything. I'd like to find out the specs and stall speed etc. Anyone know where I can go look these up?
Also I'm thinking of changing the 460 engine to a 302. Will this work? Are they interchangable in my truck? Or should I ask this in another forum?
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 2
From: Spokane WA
Originally posted by nlhawk
Also I'm thinking of changing the 460 engine to a 302. Will this work? Are they interchangable in my truck? Or should I ask this in another forum?
Also I'm thinking of changing the 460 engine to a 302. Will this work? Are they interchangable in my truck? Or should I ask this in another forum?
just my .02
kevin
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 367
Likes: 1
From: denver
There is not much you can do to get better milage. Gear swaps are not cheap either, and the tires will definatly hurt the milage. I would concentrate on making the engine run well. Get a good new carb with an electric choke, and jet it down. Rebuild or replace the the distributor and set the timing conservatively 6-8 deg. at idle and no more than 34-36 deg. at 2500 rpm. also, if you have a big cam, get one that is a good RV/milage high torque cam. I have called crane and comp cams, and they will help you choose one that matches gears/compression/trans/use. I don't think a carbed 302 will help milage much, and you will hate the power on a "built for good milage" 302. You will have the 302 at WOT all the time which will waste as much gas as the 460. An EFI 5.0 with overdrive might be good though, a lot of work, but very cool. check out www.fordfuelinjection.com
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Bigperm2,
This makes good sense. I was talking to a friend late last night and he explained to me almost the exact same thing. I don't really want to change out the engine anyway, I just want the thing to perform well, but without blowing the gross national product out the tailpipe eveytime I fire it up....
Thanks, I am going to follow your advice on all points.
nlhawk
This makes good sense. I was talking to a friend late last night and he explained to me almost the exact same thing. I don't really want to change out the engine anyway, I just want the thing to perform well, but without blowing the gross national product out the tailpipe eveytime I fire it up....
Thanks, I am going to follow your advice on all points.
nlhawk
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
danthaman62490
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Nov 3, 2011 07:42 AM
86moneypit
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
18
Sep 24, 2009 11:38 AM
evenbogey
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jun 14, 2001 03:33 PM