I wanna know about how many MPG im getting with my 302, its got a oversize cam and gear to gear timing and performance dizzy, behind that is a NP 435. and Im running a ford 9inch with 4.50 gears..
Also what do the gear ratio come out to be?

Im wanting something that has a little lower gears because when you get to 3rd gear it kind of boggs down, would getting a different ratio rear end help? Like what ratio?

I know your prolly thinking this is a weird setup with a 1976 f100 2wd with a built 302 and a NP 435 with 9" with 4.50 gears...Would you have this setup?

Thanks for the help in advance...

 

I'm pretty sure 4th gear is 1:1 making your Rear axle ratio 4.50:1.


Please Note: the 302 is not a high torquer.

What you gain in normal fuel consumption from a larger CID engine you lose in fuel consumption trying to power a heavy truck with a smaller engine.

Fuel economy is something that has so many variables it can't be specially compared with other peoples vehicles.

I suspect you are getting between 9-15 MPG.

 

so your saying the setup i have is a bad one?

 

Why can't you calculate your fuel mileage for yourself?

 

The 302 is great for a daily driver in an F-100 with a 2.75 or 3.00 Ratio for running down to the lumber for some door moulding.

That truck is hardly a workhorse for what engine to ratio rear end you are running.

Forget about pulling a trailer or filling the box up with dirt for the dump.


Higher Fuel mileage is acheived by lowering the RPM at higher speeds.

 

So what ratio should I get to make it a little more of a work horse?

 

The ratio is not the problem... the engine is the problem.

The mid-late 70's 302's put out about 112 HP with squat for torque.

What year 302 is yours ?

 

the 302 is a 1969...

 

was the problem with the mid 70s 302 due to the horse power?

Whats the Hp for the 1968 and 69 302's? and was the torque better then or the same?

 

HP and Torque

The 68 302 Reg gas 2v (engine F) HP rating was about 210 HP and 295 ft lbs TQ @ 2400 rpm at the back of the Crank.

That same engine in 1969/1970 bumped up to 220 HP 295 ft lbs @2400 rpm

In later years it gets based at the rear wheels.

 

The engine I have came out of a Torino...So its a better engine than the later years as in the late 70's and 80's as you stated?

Is there anything I can do to make it have more pulling power without getting a different motor?

 

As Mil1ion has already said, the 302 is not a torquey engine. It reaches its peak hp and torque at too high of an rpm to make it very useful for towing. Your second problem is the NP 435. I have this same trans in my truck and the gears are spaced far apart making it hard to get the power to the ground without bogging for second or so. Even with the built 390 I have in my truck, i still have this problem. One thing you could do if you have not already is switch to a 4V carb and intake. This will give you good full throttle acceleration and even decent mileage if you choose the right carb. For a 302, an Edelbrock 500 cfm would be adequate and would get good mileage if you stay on the primaries. You don't want that axle ratio to get any lower or you will really suck gas. For a truck like yours, I would go no lower than a 3.73. Bottom line is, if you want to save gas; raise the gear ratio to 3.25, put a healthy carb on it, make sure you keep it tuned up, and keep your foot out of it. If you want to tow with it, you would have to swap in a 351W or a big block to get the adequate torque. In order to get that torque, an engine needs a long stroke. The 302 is a very short stroke engine, causing it to be kind of handicapped in this area.

 

Better/More torque at low rpm's with a 2v than a 4v.

The 4v provides more HP at a higher truck running speed (ie: Passing someone) than doing something great at low speed.

I suggest finding a 300 or doing a complete larger engine/trans swap.


Your 302 is a catch-22 situation.