I didn't realize your truck is a '53. What a cool setup you have! Great body style and a 460 in it. Very nice.

Your truck is smaller and lighter than many of the newer ones, and that may also be helpful in getting your good mileage.

You've got a nice truck.

 

so let me get this right....I have a 3/4 ton truck that is lighter than the newer ones?? Interesting....I always figured that since it was older, it used the thicker steel, and since it was the heavy duty 3/4 ton model, (it isnt the F-100 like most) I figured it would weigh more too....With the monstrosity leaf springs on all four corners and the straight axel front end....This thing HAS to weigh more than the newer models. Thanks for the compliment Big.....It helps with my pain of it being a bugger today to me.

 

Sorry it's been a bugger to you today.

Have the truck weighed, and you'll see what I mean.

Ford trucks have varied in weight through the years, generally getting heavier and bigger as time has marched on. Back in 1980, though, they came out with an F-Series that was smaller and lighter than it predecessor, but then with the advent of the Superduty, size and weight really took off again.

Essentially, as more creature comforts have been added, more weight has been added, too.

4x4's are 500 pounds heavier than 2x4's, and of course, Crew Cabs and SuperCabs are heavier still.

Your truck has a 460 in it, which is no lightweight, so you've probably added 300 or more pounds just with that. I bet your truck weighs in the vicinity of 4,200 lbs, sitting at the curb with a full tank of gas. Mine probably weighs around 5,000 lbs. The new Super Duties top 6,000, especially with a Diesel.

 

My 1984 F250 Superduty Supercab with 460-C6 and no fuel(less than 1/4 in one tank weighed 4820 lbs when you subtract my heft from the slip weight. With both tanks full she goes over 5000 lbs easily.

 

Bear, what do you mean by "superduty?" Do you really mean "heavy duty?" That's what Ford called the 8,600 lb and higher GVWR F250's back then.

 

Superduty refers to the heavy 3/4 ton with the 1 ton rearend and springs and an 8800 lbs GVWR. At least that's what mine has and is rated at. The vin number decode I have also calls it a superduty.

 

OK OK OK.....I'm not going to get into a p*ssing contest about the weight of my truck VS. the weight of anyone elses truck.....I suspect (as you said) that it weighs in the vicinity of around 4200 LBS. I am thinking it will be a bit more, but until I get the carb rebuilt, the weigh station will have to wait. Once I get that done and get it weighed though, I might just head out to the track.....or better yet...to the dyno! LOLOLOLOL

 

I just went and checked my registration. Here in Washington state, we have to have our trucks weighed when we get them registered. It seems mine weighed in at 4060 with less than 1/4 tank of gas with the original 215 I-6 in it. You said the 460 adds around 300 LBS, which brings us up to around 4360 LBS, then add the weight of the gas in a full tank....about another 150LBS or so(I may be wrong on this part...I forget what gas weighs per gallon)That takes it up to 4510 LBS. Pretty svelt I would say......I actually WANT it to weigh less though....As I will be drag racing it when I get it to Florida.....Uh oh, lost my 1/2" socket again....back to the garage to begin "the search".

 

The NV4500 came new from Blumenthal's in the midwest. The engine-trans adapter came from Advance Adapters and the bellhousings and clutch parts came from a 78 Bronco.

 

Oh, sounds like a pretty expensive deal then....Not something I can do right now.....Maybe in the future

 

Seems pretty reasonable. I didn't mean to get into a debate about truck weight, but it's kind of a pet peeve of mine that so many people think their trucks weigh a LOT more than they really do. I read about half-ton pickups weighing over 6,000 lbs and three-quarter tonners weighing in over 8,000 lbs, and on and on. It's almost like some kind of macho thing to have a heavier truck. I think people get confused between curb weight and GVWR, among other things.

Thanks, Bear, for bringing me up to speed on the "superduty" versus "heavy duty" thing. I've always been confused by it. I guess "superduty" applies to F250's that have GVWR's higher than 8,500 lbs.

 

Muahahahahaha I just rebuilt the carb in my 53 with a 460, and found that there was a bunch of grass and hair stuck in the fwd needle and seat.....Maybe I'll get even BETTER mileage now! Here's hoping....I got 13 MPG before the rebuild in crummy traffic and had to two foot it to keep it running.....We'll find out this weekend I think....Got a 100 mile trip to clear out the storage unit.

 

Don't laugh too fast! It is because of the grass and hair that you are getting such good fuel economy... if you clean it out, you'll be down there with the rest of us in the 8 mpg range!

Seriously, it's amazing that your truck would run with that stuff stuck in the fwd needle. I wonder if that has prevented fuel flow from that needle... hmmm. I'm going to go get my dog; I'll be back!

53wa2fl, I truly hope you get over 15 mpg now... you'll become the guru of series 385 fuel economy and we'll all fly to WA to sit at your feet and learn your secrets.

 

I dont understand how it would get such good economy with the needle and seat stuck open....Thereby allowing fuel to constantly dump into the carb constantly flooding the truck out causing me to two foot it anytime I come to a stop or to constantly give it a pop on the pedal while cruising.

Guru?? I'm no guru by any means....I think I'm just getting lucky here....I have a motor that likely was build with the right components and I know how to tune a carb and set timing all by ear, but I'm no guru at all....Just lucky....

Now then....Where did the cat go...Gotta get more hair for the uhhhh the seats in the truck...yeah, thats it...the seats.

 

53wa2fl, you're all right.