things to do to get better mileage?
#1
12-31-2009, 02:10 AM
things to do to get better mileage?
well i got a 86 f250 with a 460 and a 4 spd so probably 5 mpg never drove it on the road but thats what im geussing. i want to know what i can do to make it get better mileage stuff thats cheap. i think im gonna start by throwing some 34 inch mud tires on the back. that should make the gearing higher. and a tune up. what else?
#2
12-31-2009, 02:43 AM
This space for rent...
Buy a Honda? Seriously friend, it's a 460... they're thirsty beasts and always want more. My truck burns about half a tank going across town and back with a 460 and C6... of course I have a plow hanging off the front... but still. My buddy has a '72 F-250 crew cab with a 460 and 4spd that gets between 5-6 mpg. Get used to it or ditch it. 
#3
12-31-2009, 02:59 AM
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Replace the 460 with a 300-Inline six... would increae the mileage to between 10 and 15.
Not much else except a engine swap is going to improve mileage,
Do a tune up, tire alighnment, good working shocks, tire properly inflated, lightly press the gas pedal, etc...
The 460 that was transplanted into the 1981 F-350 the county road department had, got between 5 and 6 as well. And it had an additional fuel tank in the bed. Was used as a Plow truck...
Not much else except a engine swap is going to improve mileage,
Do a tune up, tire alighnment, good working shocks, tire properly inflated, lightly press the gas pedal, etc...
The 460 that was transplanted into the 1981 F-350 the county road department had, got between 5 and 6 as well. And it had an additional fuel tank in the bed. Was used as a Plow truck...
#4
12-31-2009, 04:12 PM
Replace the 460 with a 300-Inline six... would increae the mileage to between 10 and 15.
Not much else except a engine swap is going to improve mileage,
Do a tune up, tire alighnment, good working shocks, tire properly inflated, lightly press the gas pedal, etc...
The 460 that was transplanted into the 1981 F-350 the county road department had, got between 5 and 6 as well. And it had an additional fuel tank in the bed. Was used as a Plow truck...
Not much else except a engine swap is going to improve mileage,
Do a tune up, tire alighnment, good working shocks, tire properly inflated, lightly press the gas pedal, etc...
The 460 that was transplanted into the 1981 F-350 the county road department had, got between 5 and 6 as well. And it had an additional fuel tank in the bed. Was used as a Plow truck...
#5
12-31-2009, 05:35 PM
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No offence taken or offered... but...
Have you ever driven a 300?
Gutless is not a word used to describe a 300 usually, just the opposite actually. I would opt for the 300HD though that was placed in the F-600 though.
No other engine besides the 351w or 351m or 400 is going to be engine enough for that truck. And those other optional engines wont help with the mileage at all or not enough to warrant a swap just for that.
I understand your reasons, I wouldnt do an engine swap either unless the 460 was blown. I wouldnt own a 460 anyway, just because of the gas mileage.
Have you ever driven a 300?
Gutless is not a word used to describe a 300 usually, just the opposite actually. I would opt for the 300HD though that was placed in the F-600 though.
No other engine besides the 351w or 351m or 400 is going to be engine enough for that truck. And those other optional engines wont help with the mileage at all or not enough to warrant a swap just for that.
I understand your reasons, I wouldnt do an engine swap either unless the 460 was blown. I wouldnt own a 460 anyway, just because of the gas mileage.
#6
12-31-2009, 05:54 PM
you can try this site.my 460 gets 10 mpg with 3.55 rears and a 4 speed granny tranny.a zf tranny swap might get you 2-3mpg.the site below has a bunch of guys trying different things to get better mpg,some are interesting,and some are what were you thinking.there is one guy there with an 80's f250 460 getting over 15 mpg,but i can't drive like that.LOL
GasSavers.org - Fuel Efficiency, Save Gas and Gas Mileage Forum
GasSavers.org - Fuel Efficiency, Save Gas and Gas Mileage Forum
#7
12-31-2009, 06:06 PM
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#8
12-31-2009, 08:30 PM
go easy on the gas, keep your tires properly inflated, ditch the mud tires for a tall, narrow, low rolling resistance tire. go easy on the gas, swap for a larger oil pan and diff covers, then use lighter weight oil and gear oil. go easy on the gas. did i mention go easy on the gas?
and don't go callin' the 300 gutless!!!
and don't go callin' the 300 gutless!!!
#9
01-01-2010, 12:47 PM
And don't go callin the 300 gutless!!!
My F250 has a 300. and she definately earns her keep. she'll pull almost anything your 460 will pull, just not as fast.
I wouldn't swap to a 300 either. To much hassle. And the 460 is a damn good motor.
Put skinny tires on it as was said, and taller ones out back. Make sure the truck is tuned up properly, (ignition timing, carb tuning, filters, spark plugs) And I also like what was said about the lighter oil in the diff and crankcase. Maybe try synthetic in the diff??? Maybe a nice free-flowing exhaust system, (high flow cat, no cat, turbo mufflers) And keep those tires aired up too, and try to keep your foot out of it, though I know that part is next to impossible.
My F250 has a 300. and she definately earns her keep. she'll pull almost anything your 460 will pull, just not as fast.
I wouldn't swap to a 300 either. To much hassle. And the 460 is a damn good motor.
Put skinny tires on it as was said, and taller ones out back. Make sure the truck is tuned up properly, (ignition timing, carb tuning, filters, spark plugs) And I also like what was said about the lighter oil in the diff and crankcase. Maybe try synthetic in the diff??? Maybe a nice free-flowing exhaust system, (high flow cat, no cat, turbo mufflers) And keep those tires aired up too, and try to keep your foot out of it, though I know that part is next to impossible.
#10
01-01-2010, 02:08 PM
460s with the Holley/Motorcraft 4180 4bbl carb drink a lot of fuel, the EFI versions do better, I get 11 - 12.5 mpg with my 93 F-250 460 e4od. About all you can do is, do a real tune-up, rebuild the carb, remove all the unneeded crap from the bed, keep your foot out of the skinny pedal, and grin and bear it...........460 and MPGs should not even be said in the same paragraph.
#11
01-01-2010, 07:37 PM
Put skinny tires on it as was said, and taller ones out back. Make sure the truck is tuned up properly, (ignition timing, carb tuning, filters, spark plugs) And I also like what was said about the lighter oil in the diff and crankcase. Maybe try synthetic in the diff??? Maybe a nice free-flowing exhaust system, (high flow cat, no cat, turbo mufflers) And keep those tires aired up too, and try to keep your foot out of it, though I know that part is next to impossible.
#14
01-01-2010, 08:19 PM
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You can always buy a cheap 4 banger to use as a daily driver, and save the truck for those days when you need a truck. I did a comparison a while back.
Assuming 10,000 miles driven per year and gas at 2.45 a gallon:
Driving my truck 10 mpg local would use 1000 gallons of gas and cost $2450.
Driving my car at 25 mpg local would use 400 gallons of gas and cost $980.
Since I own my Cavalier and F150, the $1470 in fuel savings more than pays for insuring an additional vehicle.
Assuming 10,000 miles driven per year and gas at 2.45 a gallon:
Driving my truck 10 mpg local would use 1000 gallons of gas and cost $2450.
Driving my car at 25 mpg local would use 400 gallons of gas and cost $980.
Since I own my Cavalier and F150, the $1470 in fuel savings more than pays for insuring an additional vehicle.