Getting Better Mileage
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Getting Better Mileage
Ok, gentlemen i have a 4wd 79' E-250 with a beefed up 460 thats rebored .30 over with a RV cam, Edelbrock intake, some extremely low comprssion pistons ,a Carter AFB carb thats a 650cfm if im not mistaking, backed up by a C-6. Im getting about 4-5 mpg in the city and somewhere around 7mpg on the highway and i was wondering what would be a cheap effective way to get better gas mileage out of this "Beast". I've already changed my driving habit to not using the gas when not need, but you can say i have been putting off going under the hood, because of my if it aint broke dont fix it policy. But since gas prices are killing me just about, your advice is welcomed
Josh Coonrod
Josh Coonrod
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
What rear gear are you running? If its a 4:11 you are not gonna get a whole lot more. First no cost up grade, inflate your tires to max. pressure printed on the tire. That's what the car manufactures do for their mileage tests. Second, recurve your dist. You can either recurve the one you have (this is what I did and spent nothing and got 1 mpg increase) or get a recurve kit and install it or get another dist. that already has it done. Next up, dual exhaust of at least 2" (2 1/2" prefered though) diameter with a crossover (or "H" pipe). Headers will help the dual exhaust work better. A single 3 or 4" pipe will also work if you have no room for duals. You can try leaning out your carb if you know how to read the plugs to know whether you can lean it or not. That's all the cheap things I can think of.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 320
Likes: 1
I have a single 4" pipe and it works very well. According to my math, it can flow at least as much as the dual 2.5" system I have on my other truck... one nice thing is that with a big single there is no need for a crossover. I'm very happy with the increase in performance with the big single over the former dual setup I had on this truck. And the sound is incredible - deep and very pleasing, but not harsh or too loud.
My $.02!
My $.02!
Last edited by Big O Dave; Jun 10, 2005 at 12:47 AM. Reason: thought of something else...
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
As Big O says, exhaust is very inportant. When I took off the single sub 2" pipe and installed the 3" pipe and muffler, the mileage went from 7.5 to 9, no other change. The recurve of the dist. got me another mile per gallon. I'm hoping the addition of a Holley List 1850 600CFM that I waved my magic wand at and a new heat isolator will give me another 2 mpg. With my 4.11 rear end, that's about all I can hope for and of course keeping the needle at 55 or below.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 675
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From: Springfield, OR
Try and get rid of as much weight as possible. You can save 1 mpg for every 500 pounds you ditch. I got rid of my spare tire that's been there 30 years and the tailgate which weighs alot. I was surprised to read that the average rig in good condition still has 6-12% misfires(and wasted gas) from old spark plug wires.
