Sitting 360
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New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3
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From: seattle
Sitting 360
Hey guys I have a 71 f100 ranger xlt been that has been sitting in my driveway for the last four years only drive a couple times a year. I now want to make it my daily driver but was woundering what I can do to get better gas miles on it. The truck is completely stock with an auto tranny and tops out about 75 mph. I just need to make it realiable and better gas miles it seems to be getting less then 8.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 375
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From: East TN.
make sure your ignition and fuel system are in perfect working order. i installed a pertronix ignitor in my dizzy. get rid of those exhaust logs and put some headers on it. oh yeah and drive like youve got an egg under the gas pedal. these motors are definately not made for fuel mileage. but there are things you can do to get up there around 12-13. im sure the more sperienced guys will pop in here and help out as well. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
You've got some tuning to do. a 1/2 ton F Series with the 360 and auto should run over 100mph, unless somebody stuffed some 5:1 gears in there.
Start checking all the basics. Fuel filters, air filters, plug wires, plugs, points, cap and rotor etc. Rebuild the carb if that has not been done in a while. Set the initial timing to about 10 BTDC, and see if it likes that. Watch for pinging at higher rpms. Back off the timing if you get any pinging.
Do you know what gears are in the rear axle? Is this a 2wd?
Start checking all the basics. Fuel filters, air filters, plug wires, plugs, points, cap and rotor etc. Rebuild the carb if that has not been done in a while. Set the initial timing to about 10 BTDC, and see if it likes that. Watch for pinging at higher rpms. Back off the timing if you get any pinging.
Do you know what gears are in the rear axle? Is this a 2wd?
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New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: seattle
the truck is 2wd and I don't no what gears the truck is running I know everything is stock and that is it. the truck has never had a rebuild or anything that I know of except I did one tune up about two years ago.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
You might check your exhaust to make sure it is not restricted - any of them built back then should run 100 plus MPH. It is not so much going fast as it is what ever is holding you back is also a likely cause for your poor MPG.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
i would check timing set it to 10 or 12 btdc replace plugs plug wires and put in a msd coil rebuild the carb new air filter change the oil 15w40 rotella and change the coolant and cahnge the thermostat if these engines don't get hot ehough the mpg hurts run a 195 degree thermostat
