Increased gas mileage - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Samhecker · 01-12-2013, 02:31 PM

I got a 1985 chevy k10 with a fairly stock350 a 4inch lift and 33inch tires. i know i wont get great gas mileage but what are somethings i can do to get the most
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Sillyoldman · 01-12-2013, 02:34 PM

Light foot.

piecesparts · 01-12-2013, 03:44 PM

Replace engine with a weed eater motor!

The basiics always works best. A good tune, including properly gapped quality plugs, low resistance spark plug wires, the carburetor set at the optimum settings for idle/air mixture, timing set with advance adjusted to get the best burn in your cylinders. Consider the use of a multi-spark system to get a complete burn of every ounce of fuel. Think about a properly sized cam. Look at the intake and exhaust and eliminate the restricitons on both.
NOTE: Don't overdo the exhaust pipe size, this can hurt more than it helps. Too large and the exhaust gases cool too soon, get slowed early in the pipes and the vacuum effect of the gases cooling and assisting in pulling out other gases is hampered.

Align tire size and gearing properly to make use of what is on the rims, vice expending large amounts of gas to make it look like you are getting someplace fast. Air up your tires to the right pressure and lighten your truck.

86c20 · 01-13-2013, 12:45 AM

skinny tires make a big diff. also turn the timing up. brakes adj right no large loads on the alt p/s or ac and a good tight trans perf a stick. with od. and lastly dont lug it down to much there is a sweet spot in the power rang that gives power and fuel milage to high and the miles go down to low and the same thing. my c20 at 50-55 i get about 17 at 70 i get 21 but over 75 it starts to drop

piecesparts · 01-13-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86c20

skinny tires make a big diff. also turn the timing up. brakes adj right no large loads on the alt p/s or ac and a good tight trans perf a stick. with od. and lastly dont lug it down to much there is a sweet spot in the power rang that gives power and fuel milage to high and the miles go down to low and the same thing. my c20 at 50-55 i get about 17 at 70 i get 21 but over 75 it starts to drop

I forgot to mention, an electric fan is worth about 1 MPG change if done correctly. The discussion above about eliminating loads on the alternator has a trade off if you consider this. The fan is dragging you down about 10 hp if it is attached to the engine, but the alternator load would change about 10% if you added an electric fan. That is an easy thought to pursue.

GM-power · 01-13-2013, 01:48 AM

Also need to consider your gearing.
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01-12-2013, 02:31 PM	#1
Samhecker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Prague,ok Posts: 20	Increased gas mileage I got a 1985 chevy k10 with a fairly stock350 a 4inch lift and 33inch tires. i know i wont get great gas mileage but what are somethings i can do to get the most Posted via Mobile Device

01-12-2013, 02:34 PM	#2
Sillyoldman #16876 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Auburn WA Posts: 12,266	Re: Increased gas mileage Light foot. __________________ Posted via Stationary Device '71 Custom Deluxe C-20 402. '67 Buick Special 455. '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe. *"I love that old car smell"* *Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.*

01-12-2013, 03:44 PM	#3
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Increased gas mileage Replace engine with a weed eater motor! The basiics always works best. A good tune, including properly gapped quality plugs, low resistance spark plug wires, the carburetor set at the optimum settings for idle/air mixture, timing set with advance adjusted to get the best burn in your cylinders. Consider the use of a multi-spark system to get a complete burn of every ounce of fuel. Think about a properly sized cam. Look at the intake and exhaust and eliminate the restricitons on both. NOTE: Don't overdo the exhaust pipe size, this can hurt more than it helps. Too large and the exhaust gases cool too soon, get slowed early in the pipes and the vacuum effect of the gases cooling and assisting in pulling out other gases is hampered. Align tire size and gearing properly to make use of what is on the rims, vice expending large amounts of gas to make it look like you are getting someplace fast. Air up your tires to the right pressure and lighten your truck. __________________ Frank

01-13-2013, 12:45 AM	#4
86c20 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: edgartown mass Posts: 852	Re: Increased gas mileage skinny tires make a big diff. also turn the timing up. brakes adj right no large loads on the alt p/s or ac and a good tight trans perf a stick. with od. and lastly dont lug it down to much there is a sweet spot in the power rang that gives power and fuel milage to high and the miles go down to low and the same thing. my c20 at 50-55 i get about 17 at 70 i get 21 but over 75 it starts to drop __________________ 1986 c20 "the hillbilly" 350 sm465 3.42gears 21mpg at 70mph 1985 k30 "the ice cream truck from hell" no rust az truck 197-8??? c30 "ramp truck" 454 1978 monte carlo 350 350th with 2.73 gears. no rust. sc car

01-13-2013, 01:48 AM	#6
GM-power Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 770	Re: Increased gas mileage Also need to consider your gearing. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1979 Sierra Classic Heavy-half 1996 Silverado x-cab "the daily"



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