I've been lurking around here for weeks and I've gleaned some great information. One of the areas I'm hoping you folks might provide some insight on is how to squeeze some fuel savings out of these sweet road kings.

Here's mine:

http://www.banyantrees.net/truck/HPIM1425.JPG

So far I've replaced the tires, rebuilt the transmission and I'm about to install a Pertronix Igniter and coil to replace the factory points.

Right now I'm getting 8 miles to the gallon (prior to electronic ignition upgrade). This is an F350, 2/WD with a 390 and C6 transmission. It has a Holley 4BBL carb.

Is 8 miles to the gallon normal? I drive with an egg under my foot and rarely exceed 60 miles per hour.

The motor has recently had the top end refinished and a complete tune up. It has new exhaust all the way back. I suspect the carb needs some attention as it seems to run a little rich. Perhaps this is a problem area?

I was thinking about putting a 2BBL carb on this thing. I only use it to tow a trailer and trips to the dump. I don't rod it. In fact I can care less about performance other than its ability to tow my 24ft Airstream comfortably, which, I might add, it does as if the trailer isn't even attached...

Any other ideas? I know Ford trucks were never known as fuel sippers but any ideas that might help maximize efficiency would be helpful. Thanks a ton!<o></o>

 

8mpg is what i get in my truck around town, 9-10ish highway, our trucks have the aerodynamics of a refrigerator and with an FE under the hood 8-10mpg is about all you can expect.

 

Welcome to FTE! My fuel saving tip: don't drive a 30 year old pickup truck. If you're concerned about fuel mileage, these aren't the toys to have. I don't mean that in a sarcastic way; these trucks are wonderful, but fuel cost is something you have to sacrifice.

 

That's the truth. You've got an enormous F350. What kind of gas mileage are you expecting. FE block were built when gas was cheap.

 

one thing to consider, a 4bbl carb is more fuel efficient than a 2bbl because the primarys are smaller, the problem with a 4 bbl carb is people tent to gas it too often.

8mpg is about normal, but you can do things to help it, like keep the tires inflated properly, electronic ignition helps, do a tune up, set the timing, rebuild the carb, and drive it like and old lady. but you'll probably only gain 1mpg from doing all that. if money is no object you could add an overdrive unit to help save gas, but at around $3k, you can buy alot of gas...

other than that, dont drive a 30 year old truck...

 

You chose the wrong vehicle if your concerned bout mpg's lol All i can say is keep your foot out of it(these trucks have the aerodynamics of a flying brick)

 

You could also try to swap in a rear axle with a ratio in the low 3s or high 2s, but I don't know about that if you have the F350. Don't they have the 8 lug pattern? So doesn't that mean you don't have the Ford 9 inch options? That would negate the good thing about having a F350 though.

Really, I think you're doing good to get 8mpg. I was looking at a 360, and everyone told me to expect 6mpg. I used to get 9-12mpg out of a 400 Mopar I used to have.

You could swap in a 351w EFI, that would help. My grandpa's got a '91 F350 with the 351w EFI, 5 speed manual, it has a dump bed. I think he gets around 15-18mpg when it's not hauling a load. That's about as best as you can do within reason.

If you just drive it around, and can't stand the mileage, I'd say you could trade it/sell it for a smaller truck (or use it for recreation/load hauling only and get an additional vehicle for the day to day). If it's for working hard, do a 351w (or newer Diesel) motor swap. You can sell your current motor to raise the funds.

You could also see the gas mileage as a given fact and just drive it. Try to plan your trips so that you do less driving. Go get the groceries in a rice burner and do work/fun with the truck. That's what I intend to do.

 

Maybe you should drive a little honda when your not towing. Your not gonna get great mileage out of your truck, I would be happy with 8mpg in that size truck.

 

if you really love drive that truck you could drop 300 in there and get 15 mpg.


But best is buy cheap Ford Escort for gas saver. it get 35 mpg.

 

a) throw away the boat anchor (390)

2) install 300-6 4-speed

d) drive around at about 15 mpg (maybe 17-18@55 empty) with a big fat smile on your face

 

that truck was built to tow heavy loads campers boats etc...

 

If you still have the air cleaner housing on yours, I'd suggest patching it up if it's starting to split along the sides. I noticed a little bit more fuel economy when I taped mine up with speed tape...

 

when i bought mine it was a bone stock 360 with 2bbl carb/intake. i got 4mpg. a set of hooker headers, edelbrock performer rpm intake, holley thunder avs offroad 4bbl, and a mallory vacuum assist distributor got me 10 mpg. could probably get 12 but i can't seem to stay out of the secondaries...lol biggest jump in performance and gas mileage came from the headers.

 

correction, edelbrock thunder series carb...i'm tired lol

 

my 79 f-250 is getting 14mpg combo driving mosly hiway with 35x12.5r16.5 and cherrybombs