Not sure what to do

[70CHEVYBB]

So I finished my 70 lwb restoration. I really thought I wanted a big block hot rod truck. Well I find my self mad everytime I have to gas up. Its fast but I am not really enjoying it. I thought of selling it for something different or may be buying a crate 350 and putiing a performer intake and carb on. not sure what to do? the big block sure looks sweet under the hood.

[Tom Vogel]

Uh... yea. You might consider a Gear Vendors overdrive. Or/and fuel injection, or sell it.

[In The Ten Ring]

Just curious, what size engine?

[slow-1]

Nice looking truck.

I suggest a 2nd job to make more gas $$$$.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

Uh... yea. You might consider a Gear Vendors overdrive. Or/and fuel injection, or sell it.

He already has 3.08 gears. he doesnt say if he drives city or highway to work if city od wont help and going od would make it hint too much on the highway imo. As mentioned above efi wont necessarily beat a carb meage if properly tuned

[leddzepp]

The money you spend changing everything around will negate any savings at the pump.

[LockDoc]

-
. with Scott. A $1600 crate 350 = Approx. 457 gal gas, and a $2250 Gear Vendors OD = Approx. 642 gal gas, plus all the work to make the switch. Now I don't know how much you drive the truck, but that's quite a bit of driving. I know you can recoup some of the money if you can sell the BB but it may be hard to sell it quick unless you want to take a big loss on it...

Just my 2¢ worth.

LockDoc

[RenoKeene]

What kind of mileage are you getting? 10-12? I doubt you will get more than 18-20 with a new SB crate and fancy elec trans. My 97 Z28 (LT1/auto/posi) gets 18-20 on a good day. What rear gear are you running?
Your truck looks great but if your not happy sell it.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

What kind of mileage are you getting? 10-12? I doubt you will get more than 18-20 with a new SB crate and fancy elec trans. My 97 Z28 (LT1/auto/posi) gets 18-20 on a good day. What rear gear are you running?
Your truck looks great but if your not happy sell it.

From my experience even a sbc 350 will only return 12-15 if you are lucky! I have had everything from 250 6 cyls to 454's in these trucks and they are just too much weight and non aerodynamic to get much better. An LS type engine might do a little better. One day that will be my next adventure!

[tlcrz1972]

Well I have proof that these old trucks can get great fuel mileage.
I'm running a 1995 350 throttle body FI with, 4L60E (running on modified GM wiring harness) with 3.08 posi rearend. It idles along at 1600 to 1700 RPM at 70 MPH.

When it was carbureted it was getting around 12 to 14 MPG. (350 with th400 with 3.08's.

Areodynamics really doesn't apply, and the so called extra weight really has no major affect on these trucks, it's getting the same MPG the doner truck was getting.
I doubt there is major difference in weight.

I'm getting easily 17+ mpg unloaded, and can easily pull my flatbed trailer (1500+LBS), with my land cruiser (4500+LBS) on it plus tools camping gear etc. (300 - 500 +LBS) in OD with no problems.

And yes, I don't get 17+ with a full load, but that is expected.

Plus if the truck isn't pulling a load on a daily basis there is no need in a BB.

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

From my experience even a sbc 350 will only return 12-15 if you are lucky! I have had everything from 250 6 cyls to 454's in these trucks and they are just too much weight and non aerodynamic to get much better. An LS type engine might do a little better. One day that will be my next adventure!

[bbcmudtruck]

BBC's are for power, not for gas mileage! You built a really nice truck, what size of motor are you running? Specs on motor?

[cdowns]

get a geo

[terry b]

Enjoy it you only live once. I too have a bb with a turbo 400 3/4 ton. I have too much fun with it. I figger i might as well burn up the gas other people are saving.

[1968k10blue]

Originally Posted by terry b

Enjoy it you only live once. I too have a bb with a turbo 400 3/4 ton. I have too much fun with it. I figger i might as well burn up the gas other people are saving.

I think the same way, I may be young but I doubt the world will run out of gas before I die, and they will come up with something new to run by then

[gvw5400]

Nice truck! I agree with the others, you will not save money changing out components
that you already own. Fuel injection is NOT the magic bullet that some make it out to be.
Drivability when cold is it's main plus. OEMs use it mostly for emissions and cost on a mass build scale. Overdrive can be a plus , but here again the break even point is high.
It costs fuel to feed 400+ cubes.
All the best, Dirk

[Tinkermc]

I mean to harm to anyone but I disagree. If you make the switch there is a point where you start saving and from then on, every fill-up you will save. How long do you plan on enjoying this truck? How many Arabs do you want to support for how long?

[70CHEVYBB]

1975 454 bored .060, forged crank, eagle forged 7/16 rods, speed pro pistons, 10to1, edelbrock timing chain, com cams big muther thumper cam w/ matching valve train, manley stainless valves, 2.06 in, 1.88 exh with hard seats, fullroller rockers, performer rpm intake, 750 holley, Mallory ignition. I have a 3400 stall that is coming out for a 2000 stall, 3.08 gear. I have a 30 mile round trip drive to work and suck up 3/8th of a tank with a little hot rodding involved. 5 to 6 mpg is a good average.

[Spartan]

I would suggest finding a cheap honda or as CDOWNS suggests a geo. For commuting a little econobox will triple or quadruple your MPGs. I bought my wife a Honda Fit. It gets 45+ mpg, less smog...and since its not a hybrid it doesn't produce any SMUG!

A big block is a sweet power plant but by no means a commuter in todays market but that's why you posted isn't it?!?

I feel ya tho. I used to commute 110 miles round trip in my CJ5 with the 304. Half a tank easy. Super fun but totally impractical. now it's a restored rock hound.

As far as others commenting on oil being around for awhile... if it was plentiful they wouldn't be screwing us with ethanol blends. "Peak Oil" is happening... if it wasn't so scarce the gulf wouldn't be dying a slow death and we wouldn't be taking control of all those middle east oil fields.

IMHO

[1968k10blue]

Originally Posted by Spartan

As far as others commenting on oil being around for awhile... if it was plentiful they wouldn't be screwing us with ethanol blends. "Peak Oil" is happening... if it wasn't so scarce the gulf wouldn't be dying a slow death and we wouldn't be taking control of all those middle east oil fields.

IMHO

oh yeah, I know that, but when they say oil is running out they mean maybe another 75-100 years, but with all the 45 mpg cars coming out now, that will easily extend to 100-125 years left. also, I would rather die a early death than not be able to drive my truck! <---- thats probably what you all think of me

[Dean'smeanmachine]

Originally Posted by Spartan

I would suggest finding a cheap honda or as CDOWNS suggests a geo. For commuting a little econobox will triple or quadruple your MPGs. I bought my wife a Honda Fit. It gets 45+ mpg, less smog...and since its not a hybrid it doesn't produce any SMUG!

A big block is a sweet power plant but by no means a commuter in todays market but that's why you posted isn't it?!?

I feel ya tho. I used to commute 110 miles round trip in my CJ5 with the 304. Half a tank easy. Super fun but totally impractical. now it's a restored rock hound.

As far as others commenting on oil being around for awhile... if it was plentiful they wouldn't be screwing us with ethanol blends. "Peak Oil" is happening... if it wasn't so scarce the gulf wouldn't be dying a slow death and we wouldn't be taking control of all those middle east oil fields.

IMHO

i disagree. i say buy a chevy vega ford pinto or a vw beete. that way youd be saving money and driving a classic.

[Already Gone]

I know exactly how you feel. I bought my truck with a 68 396 in it in 2001. The price of gas wasn't bad in 2001 but by 2005/2006 it started to get nuts. I only use the truck in the summer ( April/May through Sept/Oct ) and thought of getting a 700R4 but that conversion would be about 3000.00 to do properly. So to gain 2 or 3 mpg it wouldn't be worth it to spend 3000 on the the conversion. With you living in Illinois I'm sure you won't be driving your truck in the Winter months either. After all the work you have done on the truck drive it to enjoy it and get yourself a commuter vehicle. Pick up an old Crown Vic cop car from police auction and commute with that. They are tough as nails and cheap to fix and you can run them 3,4, 500,000 miles before they die. Around here 2008,2009 and 2010 ex-cop Crown Vics go for 900.00 to 16/1700 at the auction. The unmarked ones usually bring a few more bucks if you don't want to drive a black and white.

[70CHEVYBB]

Looks like I own it. I will pick it up tomorrow night after work.

[specialtyretail]

I took the well built big block out of my Cheap Bastard and replaced it with a super mild small block. I hated the change from the first drive after the engine swap until the time the new owner loaded it on his trailer a VERY short time later. I felt I had ruined, shall I say, neutered, the truck. Just my thoughts. Thanks, Fred.

[70CHEVYBB]

Originally Posted by specialtyretail

I took the well built big block out of my Cheap Bastard and replaced it with a super mild small block. I hated the change from the first drive after the engine swap until the time the new owner loaded it on his trailer a VERY short time later. I felt I had ruined, shall I say, neutered, the truck. Just my thoughts. Thanks, Fred.

I did it, I put in a 260hp 350 from gm. I miss the big block. my wife 's not that happy with me but I may just put the big block back where it belongs.

[Fldawg]

Let the big dog eat, if it's not your daily driver, enjoy it. mine only get 8 mpg, 10 on a good day, even with the 283 in it before i changed it out it only got 12-14 mpg