What mileage to expect
 

Can't use the search for now so I'll ask what's probably been asked many times before: What kind of milage can I expect from a 350 in one of these that's set up pretty much stock? Is there a great difference between those with automatic and those with a stick? Seems like automatics are the more commonly found too.

Thank you.

A lot will depend on what rear end you are running and what type of driving you will be doing.

I have a 350 with stock compression, a mild cam, 194 heads, q-jet, K&N air cleaner, MSD 6a, curved dist with adj vac adv, performer intake, Z28 oil pan with windage tray (worth a few HP and wee bit of fuel economy), Clutch fan, rams horns with 2" duals running turbo mufflers and I have a turbo 350 with a 3.73 rear end. I get about 12.5 MPG (US gallons) at 70 MPH. I also get the same at 65 towing an unloaded 2500 lb flat deck and about 10 hauling the same trailer loaded with half a truck. Not sure what I'd get at 60 but it would probably be about 13 or 14 MPG. A 3.08 would really help on unloaded cruising as would a 700 R4. Hope this helps.

see below for my details...i'm pretty sure i have 3.08's in the rear ..the best i've gotten on the highway is 16mpg .... around town probaly 10 or 11 .... all depends on how planted your foot is

Ive had several of these trucks. the best I ever got was 16mpg stock, 350 350/turbo with a quadrajet.
I have a 71 with 350/350 turbo with a quadrajet and all Im getting now is about 12 mpg. I have yet to do anything under the hood except check the oil. I think I can pull a good 15 out of this truck with a set of plugs and bump up the timming.. Just my 3.7 cents worth

I do mostly around town driving and I'm getting between 8 and 10. I dunno if this helps you at all because my 350 isn't stock. All the performer crap, Doug Thorley's, etc. I have a 4spd, but I think the reason my mileage is so bad is because my rear end is geared too high. I'm not sure what's in there, I will have to pull the cover when I get a chance but I definitely need lower gears. Hill starts can be real tough in second. I've actually been using my granny on hill starts. I want posi too so I may just swap in a Dana 60 with a detroit. I haven't really had a chance to calculate freeway mileage since I got it dialed in but I'd guess it's pretty descent because I run real low RPM's at speed. I think it's about 2500 at 65 or so. :eek:

-Dave- :bowtie:

16mpg around town---20-22mpg highway.
350 crate with:
Edelbrock Carb and intake
HEI
Headers
307posi
5 speed out of a 96 Silverado
If I keep my truck and drive it 20,000 miles per year, in 2007 the 5 speed will have paid for it's self!!:cool:

I have a 72 with a all stock 350 and TH350. Original rearend also. Orig. QuadraJet, replaced the timing chain, ignition, plugs, ect. all with stock. Nothing major ever done to it. I get about 12-13 MPG. I am wanting to do electronic ignition though and maybe get the carb rebuilt and tuned up or get a new Edelbrock. Toneau covers also can help!!!