With my newly functioning speedometer, I was able to get a mileage figure yesterday. 14 mpg. Not good but better than a Humvee, and a little higher than what I was guesstimating. The mismatches between cam, compression and rearend are really having an effect. My mechanic thinks he can get a new Isky cam for me with $109 plus shipping. I'm having him look into something very mild.
On the mileage trip I stopped at the scales to get the vehicular weight after some minor winter changes. They gave me a slip for 2640 lbs. With that weight the truck should get at least 20 mpg, which might make a cross country jaunt affordable.

 

With that ligh a vehicle, you must have some pretty serious gears in the rear end. Before spending $ on a cam, determine the rear end ratio and see if a gear swap would be more helpful


TC

 

No serious gears Rock. The mismatch is with the cam, which is 270 duration, .460 lift, but I have no other stats on it. It was made by Bowman Cams back in the 50's or 60's, and I got it as NOS. It may have been a cam used in flat track, because the machine shop that did my motor had the cam on the shelf, and the owner used to race Y's in the 60's. It is combined with a low compression of around 7.5 (a story in itself that has been previously covered), and a rear gear of 3.00. It seems reasonable that the cam would call for CR of 9.5 and rearend of 3.25-3.56. The result is low gas mileage. Motor sounds and acts fine. Plugs are looking good. Two barrel carb is working great and Pertronix is still firing. Initial timing 6 degrees.

Someday the compression will be fixed, and while doing that a much milder cam is going in. I've got this fantasy dream of taking the truck and wife on a 5,000 mile cross country trip, so mpg is more important to me than HP.

The truck has a definite lope at idle, with required idle rpms of 650-700. If your going slow in first gear very far, the lope starts and jars things up a bit. Its been a once in a lifetime learning experience!

 

Mike,
Maybe your fantasy will include a stop at the Y block shootout?

I dont thin 14 is all that bad myself, especially since its a NEW engine. I'd say look for an additional 2 miles once its broke in.

Kevin Bigwin

 

Yes Kevin the shootout is part of the objective. Wont be this year but I'm hoping for next. May luck out and make the 40 year highschool reunion in Wichita on the same circuit. I wonder what all those people I used to know years ago would think, them driving up in their SUV's, Jags, and other high dollar symbols, and we come in a 1946 Truck.
Mike

 

Where is this famous Y Block shootout? I've always been a big FE man, and am just now getting my second ever Y Block vehicle, but I'm learning that these engines can and do perform. My first was in a 61 flareside and it was rather worn out. So far I really like what I'm finding out about them. ~S

 

FORD0625,

The Y block shootout is on Labor Day weekend In Columbus OHIO. I've been there 3 years now and wouldnt miss it for the world!

Kevin Bigwin

 

Thanks Kevin, that actually isn't far from me. I just purchased a 62 4x4 with a factory 292 in it. I can't decide if I should rebuild it, and keep it original, or try to convert my FE 390 in it since it's already been rebuilt. What do you suggest? I have heard it has no power at all, but that can't be true. I think in 62 they rate at like 170 BHP or something like that. I have also heard they are excellent in 4x4.s I just can't decide if I should rebuild the original 292 or go on and put the FE in it. Any help you might have would be excellent. Thanks, SHAUN

 

Mike: I measured my mileage on my '54 F100 pretty thoroughly and scientifically, I think. When I moved from Colorado to Texas, the trip was almost exactly 800 miles one-way. I drove down three times and back to CO twice, a total of 4000 miles.

I drove from Bailey to Colorado Springs thru Deckers (twisty mountain road), caught I 25 there down to Raton, and from there went to Dalhart and Amarillo, then on 287 to DFW.

I stopped about every 200 miles to fill up at the cheapest gas stations, which were Walsenburg, Dumas, and Vernon.

My mileage was a very reliable 20 mpg overall. The back and forth or up and down really didn't matter too much.

The F100 had a stock '57 272 in it, with the '54 single exhaust, but the "B" manifold and 312 4v Holley and 60 truck distributor. Both carb and distributor were reworked and recurved. Rear end was 3.92 Dana 44. Tires were 235R78 15s.

I religiously drove 55 mph (no faster and very steady on the pedal) and also according to a vacuum gauge. I think that steady driving makes a difference and also not pushing it too fast ensured that a lot of air resistance was avoided.

 

Timmy,
20 mpg sounds very realistic. When my new motor is done, I'm hoping for 24 mpg. I should be returning home in 10 days and then can get back to the rebuild, time permitting. Being away for almost 3 months, there is no telling what fires will need to be put out.
The plans still include an Autolite 2V carb, rated at 300 cfm (a little larger than the Autolite that came stock with the later 292s).
I have a question thats been bouncing around in my head for awhile: If you have a combined reduction of .050 or so material milled from the heads and deck, how much should be milled from the intake manifold/head flanges (assuming a steel head gasket is used)? At first glance it would seem that an equal amount should be milled for the intake alignment, but there may be some other geometry involved, dont know.
How much material can be removed from the intake manifold runners (aluminum) before danger of weakening occurrs? At what point does interference occur with valley cover?

Mike

 

Mike:

Check out this site:

http://hastingsmanufacturing.com/Ser..._ohv_heads.htm

 

Thanks for the reference!

 

.comShaun just had my motor redne in my 57 I can't give you a scientific reason to keep your Y block, but the first time I heard her pop to life I loved it and even thugh I like my 352,360 and 390 my 1957 with the 301? (bored over 292) is my prideNjoy.

At least you don't have to fingle around with setting in motor mounts I guess but I love my old Y. and hope to hear more on the road, they do have a more aggressive growl then a FE.

Shaune if you put on Gheads, headers you can easily get 200, and theese motors aleady have torque (thats what I love.)