360 gettin 7.5 mpg!!
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
From: Fl
360 gettin 7.5 mpg!!
Just figured out my gas mileage last nite, pullin 7.5 mpg. I know im gonna get the responses "Its a truck with a 360, it wont get good gas mileage" Well; no ****, but I'm just lookin for anything that will help. Its got a cam, long tube headers with a 470 holley truck avenger. Any thing else that could help at all. I'm lookin to do an Edelbrock intake here soon, and possibly a new ignition system. Any suggestions though?
Last edited by TheTinian; Jan 13, 2008 at 07:58 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
From: Paragould Ar
Originally Posted by 73F100*8Mile
LOLOLOLOLOL----Been there! Ya, pull the motor and make it a 390!! Twice the mileage and feels like twice the power and can be if you want it!!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Montana
Intake might help a little bit. But I woudn't expect any huge gains. The 360's are already notorious for getting less than 11 mpg, the carb doesn't help much either, although it doesn't necessarily hurt (my 2-barrel gets 8). The ignition system might help too. If you avoid big tires, add in a dual exhaust, and drive with a foot that's lighter than air, the odds are your gas mileage will improve.
But no promises...not with an FE.
But no promises...not with an FE.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 1
From: NE Ga
I'm no expert but I don't see any 360 getting better than 8mpg unless you do some deck shaving. It lacks the efficientcy of quench. And thats only if you really wanted to stick w/ the 360 for whatever reason. At that point, I'd just get the 390 crank/rods to complete a great setup for 30+ cubes more. Also, when bumping up the compression on a 360, you're still running weaker rods than that of the sister 390. So it's almost a no brainer. Build a 390, pass rice burners/chiivy lovers grinning.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 253
From: Piney Woods of East Texas
My 360 (2V, headers, dual exh, other wise full stock) with 3.25 rear end ratio use to get around 10 mpg when it was tunned properly. 8mpg is a little low unless you have low ratio rearend. Now with all of the work I have done it still only gets around 8mpg. Back in the 70's it use to avg 10-12 with the higher octane fuel, provide I remember to take the manual choke off. Lower the octane the less energy you get from it. So if you can get up to 10mpg that should be about max. As for a 390 getting 15, I would question it. But this summer I may find out if I get all of the body work done. I still don't expect anything more than 12.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
"Lower the octane the less energy you get from it."
From what I understand that is a common misconception. There are many articles that point out that the lower the octane the hotter the fuel burns. Higher octane only allows the engine to run high compression without detonation. So if you don't have high compression you should run as low of octane as you can with out pinging. Not trying to start a huge debate but just something I found interesting.
Check out at the bottom of the page at number 3. Just one of the sights that discusses this topic. Sorry to interupt the thread. http://www.rc51.org/fuel.htm
From what I understand that is a common misconception. There are many articles that point out that the lower the octane the hotter the fuel burns. Higher octane only allows the engine to run high compression without detonation. So if you don't have high compression you should run as low of octane as you can with out pinging. Not trying to start a huge debate but just something I found interesting.
Check out at the bottom of the page at number 3. Just one of the sights that discusses this topic. Sorry to interupt the thread. http://www.rc51.org/fuel.htm
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: Klamath Falls OR
Here is what you do to help your mileage.
* First if you have points, change them out with a pertronixs or a mid 70's dizzy! Or a aftermarket one would be best (only if you are going to make engine changes down the road and tune-ability).
* Next a intake for it. I would rather see you run a Blue Thunder or if not, then one of these RPM, F427, PI, and very last (and I do mean last) a performer. You may upgrade your engine later and have a kick a$$ intake in hand when needed....
* Headers! Get a good set of headers like Hooker Comps (NOT the supper comps) and a dual 2 1/2" exhaust straight out the back with muffs on it.
* Run a Box on it (Either MSD or a Mallory) 6 with coil. I have ran both and I like both of them. NO Issues, no matter witch way you go!
* Setting your timing is also a big deal too. Total between 34-36 degrees.
* Big one here is gearing. Running down the highway and taching 2,100-2,300RPMs doing 55-60MPH.
Those are things that need to happen "IF" you want to squeeze the mileage out of it. You should be able to get 14-16mpg. Also I think that 470 is a little small, I would have liked to see a 600 on it. But I guess it doesnt matter if you are looking for mileage only. JMHO is all it is.......
* First if you have points, change them out with a pertronixs or a mid 70's dizzy! Or a aftermarket one would be best (only if you are going to make engine changes down the road and tune-ability).
* Next a intake for it. I would rather see you run a Blue Thunder or if not, then one of these RPM, F427, PI, and very last (and I do mean last) a performer. You may upgrade your engine later and have a kick a$$ intake in hand when needed....
* Headers! Get a good set of headers like Hooker Comps (NOT the supper comps) and a dual 2 1/2" exhaust straight out the back with muffs on it.
* Run a Box on it (Either MSD or a Mallory) 6 with coil. I have ran both and I like both of them. NO Issues, no matter witch way you go!
* Setting your timing is also a big deal too. Total between 34-36 degrees.
* Big one here is gearing. Running down the highway and taching 2,100-2,300RPMs doing 55-60MPH.
Those are things that need to happen "IF" you want to squeeze the mileage out of it. You should be able to get 14-16mpg. Also I think that 470 is a little small, I would have liked to see a 600 on it. But I guess it doesnt matter if you are looking for mileage only. JMHO is all it is.......
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: Madison, SD
Guess I'd be for doing all the things that Wes suggested, just think I'd be doing it to a 390 instead of a 360!!!! Better efficiency with the 390, which would be an improvement in mileage and performance. When the 360's were built, fuel mileage was not an issue. Because of this you can't really compare that poor 360 to the more modern trucks with enitrely different design criteria, numerically lower gears, overdrive transmissions, etc. None of this will improve the fuel mileage of your 360, I guess IMO the best way to improve it would be to replace it. If you consider the cost of all the mods vs. the 3 or 4 mpg improvement in mileage you never would get your money back..... Build a big torque 390 for power, and drive an Escort for fuel mileage, works for me!!!!!!
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
From: Fl
Ok, well I already have a set of long tube header (dont know what brand though), with straits and dual 40's. Also have 4.10's with 37's. It dont do bad RPM wise i can run between 65-70 at about 2000. I know im not gonna be able to push to much out of it, just 7.5 mpg is kinda harsh at 3.10 a gal. I really dont have the money to upgrade everything to make it a 390 right now. But i guess well see....
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
From: Fl
And yeah i know a 470 is somewhat small, it had a 600 holly on it when i got it but it crapped out on me and i had this one laying around so threw it on there. It really isnt that bad though.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: Klamath Falls OR
Originally Posted by Dave Severson
Guess I'd be for doing all the things that Wes suggested, just think I'd be doing it to a 390 instead of a 360!!!! Better efficiency with the 390, which would be an improvement in mileage and performance. When the 360's were built, fuel mileage was not an issue. Because of this you can't really compare that poor 360 to the more modern trucks with enitrely different design criteria, numerically lower gears, overdrive transmissions, etc. None of this will improve the fuel mileage of your 360, I guess IMO the best way to improve it would be to replace it. If you consider the cost of all the mods vs. the 3 or 4 mpg improvement in mileage you never would get your money back..... Build a big torque 390 for power, and drive an Escort for fuel mileage, works for me!!!!!!
Besides that if he does build a 390 then he has all the good stuff that he is going to need to begin with (Intake, dizzy, headers, exhaust and so on). So if you do what I said (and you can do a part at a time over the weekend) then you wont be down trying to gather parts. Your truck will stay running and then you can find a 390 to build with out any down time. Have a nice long block ready to go!
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
From: Fl
This 360 has been rebuilt recently. Supposedly (according to the previous owner) it has less than 12,000 miles on it. And it was a total rebuild, not a half *** one that ive known some people to do. As for the intakes you mentioned, where can i find them?