15mpg, is it possible?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: MI
I have run both carbed and FI engines and I have never seen much differance between them in economy or performance. To date carbed engines have the edge in my book unless you go to a very expensive adjustable FI system. FI might have a bit of an advantage over long term emisions wise.
To date best economy 70 Mustang 200 I 6 45 PG carbed. 2 other Mustangs 84... 26 to 28 Hiway 302 carb, 87... 26 to 28 hiway 302 SFI.
To date best economy 70 Mustang 200 I 6 45 PG carbed. 2 other Mustangs 84... 26 to 28 Hiway 302 carb, 87... 26 to 28 hiway 302 SFI.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Sandy, UT
Some people may want to compare "similar" trucks rather than the exact same truck for a variety of reasons; i.e.: future purchase, possibilities of engine or parts swap, etc. I can't stand the narrow mindedness that seems so common with grumpy old Richard Craniums.... I can't wait till you get thrown in a retirement home and forgotten about... Most intelligent people welcome as much information as they can get for the most accurate assessment of a situation. As far as a EFI swap being more expensive than the truck is worth? So what! Some people hang onto a vehicle for many other reasons than blue book value. A blown-up EFI junkyard motor can be a very cheap find. I know I personally consider every option I can find when making a decision or trying to improve on something… knowledge is power.
Your closed mindedness makes you look more feeble than your decrepit age.
Your closed mindedness makes you look more feeble than your decrepit age.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Originally Posted by Spastic
Some people may want to compare "similar" trucks rather than the exact same truck for a variety of reasons; i.e.: future purchase, possibilities of engine or parts swap, etc. I can't stand the narrow mindedness that seems so common with grumpy old Richard Craniums.... I can't wait till you get thrown in a retirement home and forgotten about... Most intelligent people welcome as much information as they can get for the most accurate assessment of a situation. As far as a EFI swap being more expensive than the truck is worth? So what! Some people hang onto a vehicle for many other reasons than blue book value. A blown-up EFI junkyard motor can be a very cheap find. I know I personally consider every option I can find when making a decision or trying to improve on something… knowledge is power.
Your closed mindedness makes you look more feeble than your decrepit age.
Your closed mindedness makes you look more feeble than your decrepit age.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
OK, Spastic, talking about EFI is fine, but you are adding fuel to the fire, and I dont believe saying one thing on EFI or Carburated setups makes anyone closed or open minded, now lets end this petty argument and continue on with the impossible topic at hand, ok.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Originally Posted by Lead_Foot
OK, Spastic, talking about EFI is fine, but you are adding fuel to the fire, and I dont believe saying one thing on EFI or Carburated setups makes anyone closed or open minded, now lets end this petty argument and continue on with the impossible topic at hand, ok.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Floriduh
Ok people, I just today got my 460 running and took the truck for a drive in fairly heavy traffic. (Anyone who knows the seattle area, knows we have some of the worst and toady was a doosy) I got 13 MPG without any tuning whatsoever. I have yet to adjust the timing to my fine ear tuning and the carb needs a rebuild (just in my opinion....it was sitting for about 6 months w/o any fuel in it and not on a running vehicle) My combo is as follows: mid 70's 460 and C-6. The 460 is all stock except for the carb. The carb is a Holly 3310. Which is a 750 CFM. All the naysayers told me I would be lucky to get better than 8-10 MPG. pfft ANYWAY.....Thats my experience.....P.S. I have a 9" rearend with 3:50 gears and 30" tall tires.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Originally Posted by 53wa2fl
Ok people, I just today got my 460 running and took the truck for a drive in fairly heavy traffic. (Anyone who knows the seattle area, knows we have some of the worst and toady was a doosy) I got 13 MPG without any tuning whatsoever. I have yet to adjust the timing to my fine ear tuning and the carb needs a rebuild (just in my opinion....it was sitting for about 6 months w/o any fuel in it and not on a running vehicle) My combo is as follows: mid 70's 460 and C-6. The 460 is all stock except for the carb. The carb is a Holly 3310. Which is a 750 CFM. All the naysayers told me I would be lucky to get better than 8-10 MPG. pfft ANYWAY.....Thats my experience.....P.S. I have a 9" rearend with 3:50 gears and 30" tall tires.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Floriduh
Nope, I had my wife check by following me with our 05 mustang, so I used HER speedo and odometer for the mileage check....and the fuel pump for the fuel used. The actula MPG came out at 13.031....but who's counting
Last edited by 53wa2fl; Jun 19, 2005 at 01:25 AM.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 320
Likes: 1
Well, I just got my third consecutive tankful where I got over 8 mpg!
First, I ran a couple of tanks with a Marvel Mystery Oil/ATF mix, and since then mileage has not dipped below 8. With this most recent tank I got 8.6 mpg, and this was mostly city driving and included a severe overheat when the thermostat got stuck closed.
Now I'm running a bottle of Auto-Rx in the oil, which should clean up the engine's internals quite a bit (especially the rings) and we'll see it there are further mileage improvements.
The truck is running better than ever (at least since I've owned it).
First, I ran a couple of tanks with a Marvel Mystery Oil/ATF mix, and since then mileage has not dipped below 8. With this most recent tank I got 8.6 mpg, and this was mostly city driving and included a severe overheat when the thermostat got stuck closed.
Now I'm running a bottle of Auto-Rx in the oil, which should clean up the engine's internals quite a bit (especially the rings) and we'll see it there are further mileage improvements.
The truck is running better than ever (at least since I've owned it).
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 320
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by 53wa2fl
Dave, are you running a carb? or injected?
Going back to the Marvel Mystery Oil/ATF mix, I am amazed at how well that kind of "old school" treatment worked. It truly made a difference.
I got brave and put the MMO/ATF mix in my wife's '95 Explorer (obviously fuel injected and with a cat) and she is really noticing that the idle is smooooth. We're still on that tank of MMO/ATF mixed in with the gasoline, so I'll have to let you know how it works out, but so far, so good!
53wa2fl, is your truck a F150 or F100? You mentioned that it has a 9" rearend and 30" tall tires, so that makes me suspect that it is a half-tonner. If so, there is a LOT less friction and inertia in the drivetrain than a heavier-duty truck. That, and your relatively "tall" gearing could explain why your fuel economy is so good. I'm wondering if your 3310 may also help somehow. You should feel VERY fortunate that you are getting such good mileage! I can only dream...
Last edited by Big O Dave; Jun 19, 2005 at 07:16 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Floriduh
Actually, it is a 53 F-250....Yes, they DID make an F-250 in 1953...I get people telling me ALL the time that Ford never made one.....However, I put in the 460/C6 combo (with help from my son, daughter, and wife) I also transplanted in the 9" into it. The 9" came out of a 1969 F-100 though.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, OR
18 mpg is possible
I switched out the C6 in my 75 Camper Special and put in a NV4500 5 speed. I was getting 8 with the C6 and now Im at 18 highway if I keep my foot out of it(about 58 mph), but thats with a fresh 460, Edelbrock carb, stock Duraspark, and a 3.73 rear end and stock tires. The conversion cost alot of money, but since I decided Im gonna keep the truck it would cost alot more to not do it in the long run. I was really surprised that it was 18, the best I was hoping for was about 15. I guess as the engine ages it will be downhill from there. At least I dont have to pony up 30 or 40 K for a new one. Just my 2 cents.