Have had my 1994 F250 / 460 4X4 for about a month now and I really love it. Runs great. Only 56,000 miles, so it should last a while. No rust. Couldn't ask for anything more.

Being it was used, albeit from the ford dealer, I prefer to do basic tuneups on the vehicle after getting it. I don't know how the previous owner ran it, or what the dealer inspected prior to selling it to me. (Evidence by me finding the transfer case filled with 80w gear oil instead of transmission fluid).

So, I've done plugs (Autolite copper), wires, cap, router, air filter, breather filter, pcv, oil change (Synthetic), and transfer case fluid change. (Synthethic). I know it's a big engine; 460, and most people say that the 9-10mpg I get is about all I can expect. Is this true?

I plan on doing a transmission fluid change/flush. With almost 60,000 miles, I figured I would throw a new O2 sensor in. I'm also going to replace the fuel filter. Can't think of anything else. So, without doing radical mods, is the 10mpg about all I can expect? Would a K&N box replacement filter help? Would a synthetic transmission fluid help when I do the change? Are there any other things I can do to help increase the mpg. I am not expecting a lot of difference, but I thought I should be able to get 12-13mpg. Maybe that is unrealistic for a 460. I don't want to get into any exhaust mods or anything at this time. maybe when the muffler or pipes needs replacing. Any suggestions?

Thx... Mike.....

 

Pretty much yep, maybe 1-2 more or less depending on the trip

A fluid change isn't going to help you get an extra couple mpg's, but its a good idea. The O2 sensor might help a little if the other one is bad, but not a lot.

Keep your foot out of it.....just idle everywhere or push it then it oughta get at least 50 or so....who knows, it may just start a mpg revolution!

 

with my 351 i get 13 - 15

 

Hi christcorp, yea you're in our "460 mpg club" range, though 9mpg is a little low...

My heavier '95 F350 crew 460EFI 80k miles gets 11mpg mixed driving. Tires will make a 1mpg difference, mine dropped from 11.9mpg to 11.0 mpg on 89 octane after I replaced the normal highway tires with coarser Wildcat AT tires.

I'm changing my 10-30W oil to 5-20W because some old hands say I might gain nearly 1mpg.

Look for 7-8mpg when towing a few tons.

 

Check fuel pressure, could have a stuck regulator. Or a bad return line.

 

I just bought a 91 F250 460 5spd and i am getting about 11.6 with mixed driving.

 

This really doesn't relate too much but I once had an F100 with a 460 that someone had taken out of a Lincoln(I *think*). A lighter truck but I was much younger and I drove that thing like I was on the lamb and it got 10mpg every time I checked.
Man, I loved that engine.

 

My 5.0 only gets between 16 and 17.......These trucks are NOT famous for gas mileage...lol........but my 305 in a little S-15 Jimmy only gets that too. I'm not a hotrodder anymore (too much anyway) but I do like to feel the power when I need it......how i drive is part of the equation too.

K&N air filter is the first thing I do to every car I own......even the brand new ones. I believe they help but I don't believe they are a magic potion. making a motor breath easier (which does include exhaust work) always makes them work a little less hard. Less work= better performance........is that going to give you mpg?......probly not significant in a 460......Hardly enough to justify the exhaust work if it doesn't need it.
My 5.0 has a K&N and true duals....16 to 17mpg.

I guess we pay for the privelege of having the power and performance when we want it.
Good Luck

 

I had 4 F250-350 with 460 87-97 and none got better than 11 MPG even with and auto or manual trans no different . A little better or worse on 1 or other but it was 11MPG empty or with 2 tons in the bed .
On the plus side they pull good and will lug well. They are the only trucks I had that rpms went up slower than speedo when on open road . And they last forever.

 

Thanks all for the input. Non of the tuneup stuff I've done, did I do for better mileage. I did it because without knowing the past owner and their driving/maintenance habits, I didn't want to take a chance. I do a complete tuneup on any used car I buy. Same with the tranny fluid and fuel filter, etc... I would do those thing anyway. Whether it improved mileage or not.

I've checked with 3 friends who own fords with the 460. A 1990 and 1993 and a 1997. All 3 are 5 speeds, while mine is the E4OD. The 1990 and the 1997 both get about the 10mpg that I get. The 1993 swears he ALWAYS gets 13.5mpg whether he's towing or not. He says that the only time it has ever gone down, was when he held it at about 90mph on the interstate for about 100 miles. Here in Wyoming, there is a lot of open highway where unofficial speed limits exist.

Anyway, being high altitude, I'll probably go with a K&N filter to give it a little more air. Also, Checker is having a sale. By a filter and they give you free the cleaner/recharge kit. I'll definitely put in a new O2. According to the manual, it's about due anyway mileage wise. I was going to do the fuel filter myself, but it looks like the line connection need a special tool. I'll probably have the dealer do it. I was going to do the tranny fluid myself, per the article on the forum, but after telling the Ford Dealer about finding 80w in the transfer case, and that their maintenance department either doesn't know what they are doing, or that they didn't check the truck out too well prior to selling it to me, they were quite embarrassed and has offered a pretty good discount on the tranny flush. So, might as well save the mess and let them do it. Maybe I can get them to do the fuel filter while they are at it.

Anyway, thanks again for the input. Either way, I really love the truck. The had bed tool boxes on sale locally, so I got a nice Delta for a cheap price. The original owner put every possible option on the truck. The only thing I sort of like, but don't, is he had the original seats taken out when he first bought it, and had custom captain chairs put in with a 3rd middle seat that fold down into a table and cup holders. It's really nice, but the guy must have been a little dude. The chairs are so puffy that if I put the seat far enough back for my leg room to be comfortable, the seat back won't tilt back past straight verticle. Very uncomfortable. To make the back tilt to be comfortable, means it has to be moved forward which is a little tight on the leg room. Go figure. I'd hate to go to a junk yard and get a bench seat. The seats are really nice and good looking. I have all the original receipts when he bought the truck and had it tricked. The seats alone were over $1000 to have put in. Anyway, thanks again. later.... Mike....