big block mpg solutions
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
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2-wheeler?
It rains and freezes too frequently during the winter in Seattle, to ride the Hog on a consistent basis. I can deal with the discomfort, but washing the damn thing all the time gets real old. You're right though, it sure is more fun and economical.
Originally Posted by PROSTOCK
Well "FE" doesn't stand for Fuel Economy!
My '65 F250 sports a stock 352 with 600CFM carb(4 bbl), Duraspark, C-6 and 4:56 gears. At 70MPH (yes folks that is a lot of RPM, but it's done that for 40 years!) I get about 8MPG. If it was my daily driver I would look into improving gas mileage, but as mentioned earlier, there's only so much that can practically be done. Modern engine/tranny swaps can be done but at what cost?! Don't turn your ride into a girly-man gas sipper, keep it the manly-man, gas sucking pig!!! My solution...ride a 2-wheeler, way better mileage(47) and fun to boot!
My '65 F250 sports a stock 352 with 600CFM carb(4 bbl), Duraspark, C-6 and 4:56 gears. At 70MPH (yes folks that is a lot of RPM, but it's done that for 40 years!) I get about 8MPG. If it was my daily driver I would look into improving gas mileage, but as mentioned earlier, there's only so much that can practically be done. Modern engine/tranny swaps can be done but at what cost?! Don't turn your ride into a girly-man gas sipper, keep it the manly-man, gas sucking pig!!! My solution...ride a 2-wheeler, way better mileage(47) and fun to boot!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
trvaughn, IMHO, your are pouring gas out on the road with that carb. I'll bet the tail pipe is sooty as all get out, and if you stand back there while it's running you can smell the rich fumes. The engine can't use that much carb.
Look at reducing the jet sizes. I am running a Holly 390 cfm on my truck. Performance seems to be about the same as with an Edelbrock 1406.
John
Look at reducing the jet sizes. I am running a Holly 390 cfm on my truck. Performance seems to be about the same as with an Edelbrock 1406.
John
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Spokane, WA
Yea it smells like it is running a bit rich (even with the performance cam it has in it). I need to take it somewhere and have the carb adjusted, as I know I'll screw it up if I try it. I've rebuilt carbs but never tried jetting them and the like.
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Im in the process of changing over to a C6 from a 3 speed manual overdrive in my 66 ( pick it up tomorrow ). I look at it this way, I have power steering, I have power Disk brakes, my eletrical system is solid, my truck is solid , with the addition of the auto my truck is where I want it. will i loose mpg yes, could I get it back, maby , Gearvenders overdrive what $2,700.00 dollars ? TBI another 1,000.00 , I got to thinking $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 buys a pile of gas even at todays prices. Get a little tiny gas sipping run around car. and save your Truck for work or play, we owe them that much. did I mention I luv my truck!
Jav
Jav
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I don't even worry about the mileage, I simply enjoy driving my mildly built 390 Unibody truck.
When the guage gets around 1/4, I buy more gas.
The way I look at it, it's a small price to pay for the happiness my truck gives me. I've been driving it every day for over 20 years.
I had a dream that I lost my mind and sold my truck. It was as bad as losing a dear old friend.
When the guage gets around 1/4, I buy more gas.
The way I look at it, it's a small price to pay for the happiness my truck gives me. I've been driving it every day for over 20 years.
I had a dream that I lost my mind and sold my truck. It was as bad as losing a dear old friend.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,062
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From: Central Oregon
When I got my 66 F100 4x4 it had a 352 engine and got 12-13mpg, I put in a 67 GT Hipro Fairlane 390 with headers and Elderbrock carb, mileage went up about 2-3 mpg. The bigger engine works less than the 352.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Turlock CA
Well if you spend a little time and a little money it does equal good savings.
When I started my 65 with 352 got 8 mpg I spent about $400.00 on ignition carb and gears and now get about 15 mpg.
If I only drive 4000 miles a year I save about $590.00 in the first year.
It's paid for the upgrades in the first year.
For some of us it is also a challange to see how well we can get these old trucks to run.
Keep tunning
jd
When I started my 65 with 352 got 8 mpg I spent about $400.00 on ignition carb and gears and now get about 15 mpg.
If I only drive 4000 miles a year I save about $590.00 in the first year.
It's paid for the upgrades in the first year.
For some of us it is also a challange to see how well we can get these old trucks to run.
Keep tunning
jd
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Senior User
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Originally Posted by jd_sylvia
Well if you spend a little time and a little money it does equal good savings.
When I started my 65 with 352 got 8 mpg I spent about $400.00 on ignition carb and gears and now get about 15 mpg.
If I only drive 4000 miles a year I save about $590.00 in the first year.
It's paid for the upgrades in the first year.
For some of us it is also a challange to see how well we can get these old trucks to run.
Keep tunning
jd
When I started my 65 with 352 got 8 mpg I spent about $400.00 on ignition carb and gears and now get about 15 mpg.
If I only drive 4000 miles a year I save about $590.00 in the first year.
It's paid for the upgrades in the first year.
For some of us it is also a challange to see how well we can get these old trucks to run.
Keep tunning
jd
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,111
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From: Turlock CA
Well I don't tow with it but don't think it would hurt. I still have plenty of low end power. I went with 3.0 and still have the granny tranny. She is turning about 2300 rpm at about 65 mph. I think the real key is keeping my foot out of it (That's harder than it sounds). I also run headers and 3" stainless steel exhaust. I am thinking about locking down the secondary's to help me keep it on the primaries.
I also have a set of 3.30 I was thinking of trying but so far I am realy happy with the 3.00.
have fun
jd
I also have a set of 3.30 I was thinking of trying but so far I am realy happy with the 3.00.
have fun
jd
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 264
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From: las vegas nv.
this thread has struck a note...
Mileage and power are kinda hand in hand to a point..I have gone up and down on the mileage for awhile now. Started with the 352 with a 2-barrel and got totaly embarrassing performance.WEnt to a390 because the parts came kinda easy...4-barrel 625 AFB, Holley then an Offenhauser manifold,DUI ignition,Jones cam,porting,Sanderson headers,dual 2 and 1/2 exhaust,a LOT of tweaking and I am around 10 miles a gallon. Maybe my belief that the cab floor is mostly a throttle stop,(that 10 mpg is when I'm not touching the floor...)maybe the FMX between the horses and the ground,or maybe the shi.....gas has something to do with it.But I still have more ideas and the search is still fun.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 166
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From: lehigh valley
got to throw in on this one, most here know a lot more than me but i have heard numerous times the 352 and 360 sucked gas where as the 390 actually was more efficient and powerful at the same time,bertha has a good point. plus parts are readily available to do a lot more with a 390. sniffing around for a 390 myself unless i find a 427 then screw mileage, rooster tail mudding time, smoking tire friday night