10
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 121
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From: North Central Montana
Thats about par for the course, that mileage on a carbureted 302 is pretty close to average.
The only things I have seen with any effect on mileage in mid 80's pickups is cam, tires or transmission/gearing.
You can get fuel saving cams but in my experience they cause more harm than good, you lose a lot of power and get a lot more knocking and lugging.
larger tires are harder to turn and will drop mileage besides the fact that they will slow down the speedometer and make it look like you haven't gone as far on a tank as with smaller tires.
Higher gearing like overdrive will save some gas but if you achieve higher gearing through the diffirential you could lose low end power/pickup.
The only things I have seen with any effect on mileage in mid 80's pickups is cam, tires or transmission/gearing.
You can get fuel saving cams but in my experience they cause more harm than good, you lose a lot of power and get a lot more knocking and lugging.
larger tires are harder to turn and will drop mileage besides the fact that they will slow down the speedometer and make it look like you haven't gone as far on a tank as with smaller tires.
Higher gearing like overdrive will save some gas but if you achieve higher gearing through the diffirential you could lose low end power/pickup.
Last edited by paden; Dec 11, 2006 at 10:10 PM.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Please read post #15 on this thread .
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ease-read.html
It is from the 73-79 forum but relates these trucks as well.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ease-read.html
It is from the 73-79 forum but relates these trucks as well.
