Gas Mileage
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 154
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From: USA
Gas Mileage
Just wondering what other Ford trucks are getting for mileage these days. Currently, I am getting 5-6 MPG, which I figure is about right for a 25 year old truck and a 19 year old lead foot. What is everyone else getting. Does anyone else have any suggestions on how to get a little better, I have already taken care of the air cleaner, spark plugs, tire pressure etc., etc., but is there anything else I'm missing? And I know someone will say the lead foot is a problem, but its not that often.......you just have to show those Chevy boys what a real truck is once in a while.... Have a good New Year everyone.
Brendan
1977 Ford F-250
351M / 4-Speed
33" BFG Tires
www.angelfire.com/ma4/1977fordf250
Brendan
1977 Ford F-250
351M / 4-Speed
33" BFG Tires
www.angelfire.com/ma4/1977fordf250
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 46
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Gas Mileage
I am getting about 12 to 13 mpg with my 74 highboy with a rebuilt 390 with a 500 cfm Holley and headers on it, when it is empty but when loaded with a large flatbed and 560 International tractor with a loader and back blade I get around 5 to 6 mpg out of it. It has the C6 auto and 3.54 gears in it. I used to have a 79 F150 2 wheeler with a 351m and auto and when I was crusing around 60 I could pull around 17 to 19 mpg out of it but it had 3.00 gears in it also. Sounds like you might want to check your gearing or your exhaust to try to get your mileage up there. Good luck Greg NE ;-)
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 105
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Gas Mileage
My 79 F150-351M gets around 10- 12 MPG since I put a K&N air filter on, and new exhaust. Removing the a/c compressor helped, too. Before, I was only getting 8 MPG.Making sure you don't leave your hubs locked in helps, too.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 154
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From: USA
Gas Mileage
I just did a whole new exhaust system a few months ago, Dynomax headers with dual exhaust (2 1/2" pipes and Flowmaster 40 series), so I wouldn't think that would be the problem. But the truck is geared real low. I don't know what he ratio is, but I can only get to about 65 max on the highway, after that the RPM's are real high, and everything is real loud. I'm thinking about a K&N Filter, but I heard they were no better than an average paper filter. Any thoughts on this?
Brendan
Brendan
Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 166
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Gas Mileage
K&n filters are probably the best filters in my opinion.But,if you really are pulling that many rpms there really isn't anything thats going to help until you change gears.Look on the pumpkin and see if there is a tag,it may have your ratio on it.It's not too hard to change gears as long as you know what spline axles you have.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 143
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Gas Mileage
I have a 78' 4x4 shortbed, 400M, C6, 3.53 gears, 32 inch tires. I pull about 8mpg around town, and 12.5 IF i am good to it. I can tell you that i too put a KN filter on mine, the open chrome type, not just the insert in a stock air housing. I didnt notice much in power, but i did squeeze about 15 more miles on a tank of fuel. Plus when you get on it,, you can hear your wallet being sucked down feeding the beast 
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 602
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From: Huntersville
Gas Mileage
I've got a 71 2wd 351w, 3sp. 3:25 gear,600 holly. I can squeeze 17 on the highway at about 70 mph average. About 14.5 around town.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 83
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From: Decatur
Gas Mileage
When I was still running my '78 F-150 long-bed 4x2 stock, I'd get 10-11 city & 13-14 hwy.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
Gas Mileage
Something is wrong somewhere. My 2 wheeler gets 10-12 without any special effort, with a 390 and 3.50 gears. The 4 wheeler gets a consistant 7 with 4.56 gears and a 421 (390 stroker, 060 over). Are you certain your alignment is good ? Is the vacuum advance working correctly ? Are your brakes dragging ? DF
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Gas Mileage
My 77 F150 2WD with a 460/C6 and 3:00 rear gear gets 8MPG. I know that it weighs 4480 lbs without me in it. I have a Edelberck Performer intake and Edelbrock 750 carb. I have Dynomax headers with 2 1/4" aluminized pipes and 2 chambered(Mustang) Flowmasters.I run 32x11.50 tires on the rear and 31x10.50 's on the front. I think I need to go with about a 3.70 gear because my torqueconveter slips most of the time causing a loss of mileage. 
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,135
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From: Canada
Gas Mileage
hope you all had a good new years
my 1978 ford 3006 gets about 18 - 20 on the highway, depending on weather and 12 apr. in the city. im 17 years old and really can't afford to drive like a leadfoots so i take it easy, but if i get mad and want to floor it, i fly by all the ricers
to imporve gas milage, drop ro remove the tailgate, or place a truck cover over it. that's what first comes to mind
my 1978 ford 3006 gets about 18 - 20 on the highway, depending on weather and 12 apr. in the city. im 17 years old and really can't afford to drive like a leadfoots so i take it easy, but if i get mad and want to floor it, i fly by all the ricers
to imporve gas milage, drop ro remove the tailgate, or place a truck cover over it. that's what first comes to mind
Junior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Gas Mileage
My dads f-150 has the NP-435 four speed with a 302 and its a GAS HOG! The gearing is so low that the engine is screaming all the time.
First gear is so low its useless on the street, second gear is as low as first gear in most transmissions. If this is the trans you have it could be part of the problem. My truck with a 351/C6 and 35"tires gets better gas mileage than his truck with 302/NP435 and 31" tires.
1978 F-150 4x4
1998 Crown Vic Police Interceptor
First gear is so low its useless on the street, second gear is as low as first gear in most transmissions. If this is the trans you have it could be part of the problem. My truck with a 351/C6 and 35"tires gets better gas mileage than his truck with 302/NP435 and 31" tires.
1978 F-150 4x4
1998 Crown Vic Police Interceptor
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 342
From: Albuquerque
Gas Mileage
I'm manageing to get about 11 in town/suburb driving after 2500 miles on my new engine. It's highly modified and I think the milage will go up a little more with warm weather and more miles.
Pardon my gloating.
Bear Tracks
Pardon my gloating.Bear Tracks