Can anyone give me a clue on how to achieve decent gas milage on my 223cu, W 4spd, dont know what rearend. I have done everything I can think of , but my 57 still wants to visit the nearest gas pump regularly. I have installed all the igntion parts and plugs new. Got my timing set, just got a valve job done. Dont have a clue as to what my milage really is (odemeter inop) but its not good. Any ideas out there????? Oh , I do have radials on the truck. Have also installed carb kit. Has a new fuel pump. Thanks , Roy.

 

I think you're in luck. I think your truck has a Ford 9" rear axle. I'd start by swapping in a 3.25 or 3.00 differential. It's not hard to do.

 

Yea, going to a 3.00 would also improve my highway driving would itnot? Sound like a plan to consider. Thanks Roy

 

I have a 1960 F-100 with the 223 and 4 speed.. I had 4.11 and got about 7-8 MPG I have cence changed it out for 3.20 and now get 12-14 MPG.. Hope this helps

 

What are you getting for gas mileage? Get an overdrive transmission and put that in.

 

Roy,

It's your decision but I'm not so sure I'd go down to a 3:00 gear with a 223 six. That's a pretty tall gear to pull for that engine. I think a 3:50 gear might be a better compromise. If you go with too tall a gear you will just use more gas taking off and getting it up to speed...

Vern

 

Thanks for the good advise guys, im not up to what I should be on differentials. Will for sure consider that 3:50 Vern. How hard is it to remove and install new gears ?? Thanks Roy.

 

Roy,

It can be done at home but swapping gears in the differential is an exact science and should probably be left to the experts who know how to set them up. Otherwise, you can ruin a set of new gears and still have to have the work done. It may be easier to locate a nine inch 3rd member with 3:50 gears in a salvage yard or swap meet and install it in your housing than have new gears installed in your existing 3rd member. Sometimes you may even be able to swap differentials with someone who is looking for shorter gears.

Vern

 

I hear you Vern, I,m diffenetly looking for the easiest way of doing this rear end swap. I will start keeping an eye out for a third member with a 3:20 or 3;50 in it. You think I probably have a 4:11 huh. Are they available in salvage yards ?? Later, Roy.

 

Roy, Your transmission is probably the T98 four speed with a granny low gear. Vern's point would be a good one if you had a three speed transmission but with the four speed transmission, you'll never have a problem with pulling power.

The differential swap could hardly be simpler; go to a boneyard and ask for a Ford 9" with 3.00 gears. They'll have it. On the way home get a new U-joint. The new U joint is needed because the yoke for the 4.11 gears is different. The 4.11 yoke uses a larger U-joint. The 3.00 uses a smaller U-joint.

 

Now How would U know that one Paul LOL.. I have the set up Paul talking about and I have no problems with the 3.25 at all with mt Little 223 and a T98 tranny

 

I knew of a guy back during the 70's gas crunch that installed a carb off of a Volkswagon Bug on his Ford work truck engine. He claimed the fuel consumption was much improved. About a year later the truck was hit broadside as he was entering an intersection from a stop sign. I often wondered if that carb caused the accident.