fuel mileage, things to improve it

[Boog]

Once again gas prices are jumping up and gas mileage is of a concern. We love our old trucks. Some of you are installing LS engines with full computer controls to get the most out of your install but many of us are sticking with the old carb'd versions of our trucks and are interested in getting the most out of them too.
I'll mention justs a few things we can do to promote better fuel mileage. Please mention your combo and list things you have done to increase yours. This applies to your big blocks as well.

1 fresh tuneup( plugs, wires, cap, filters etc)
2 180 to 195* thermostat
3 free flowing exhaust
4 front end alignment
5 proper tire inflation
6 evaluate tire width ( wider tires have higher rolling resistance )
7 bed covers ?
8 lowered for good looks ( possible better mileage too )
9 multiple spark discharge ignition ?
10 gear swap to more mileage suited ratio

I'm sure there are a lot of good ideas out there.

[bull1kevin]

driving habits usually trump all other factors, my size 14 feet are heavy!

[michael bustamante]

yeah my driving habits would have to change first. I love to hit the gas just to hear my flowmasters

[jdwhitlo]

The Mythbusters did an episode on getting better gas mileage and of all the things they tried it was a change in driving habits that netted the best increase in mileage. It was something like up to 30% better mileage. All the "devices" they tried either worsened the milage or only nominally increased it.

[whitesswj]

alos on mythbusters, not only did they proove that driving habits are the best fuel saver but the myth of bed covers helping fuel milage was busted.

The best two helps on beds were with the tailgate UP and the best was using one of those mesh gates.

Who knew.
Also, having a well balanced tranny with an overdrive and a good rear ratio and your driving habits make a world of difference.

When I drive right, and with my NP A833 overdrive 4-speed, 3.73 rear, and my 350 with my 2.5" flomaster exhaust and 235/75/15 tires, Edle Carb, i get about 15 - 19 MPG.

[Huck]

I tried lots of combo's-headers, edelbrock intake, HEI, 5spd, etc. I got positive results from---going back to stock intake, stock exhaust, HEI, stock size tires 33lb, bed cover & the 5spd--my 72 LWB with new crate 350 would give me 18-19 mpg. In many cases, you can improve your mpg with a new or rebuilt carb. But I do tend to drive like a *****. Huck

[Tonka59]

Tailgate (not dangerously close!!!) semi-trucks....I usually get about 12MPG with small tires and 10MPG with big tires on my 72. When driving on the hwy ive seen a lot better results when drafting.

[dan42]

Originally Posted by whitesswj

alos on mythbusters, not only did they proove that driving habits are the best fuel saver but the myth of bed covers helping fuel milage was busted.

The best two helps on beds were with the tailgate UP and the best was using one of those mesh gates.

Who knew.
Also, having a well balanced tranny with an overdrive and a good rear ratio and your driving habits make a world of difference.

When I drive right, and with my NP A833 overdrive 4-speed, 3.73 rear, and my 350 with my 2.5" flomaster exhaust and 235/75/15 tires, Edle Carb, i get about 15 - 19 MPG.

What is driving right? 55mph? Easing off real slow off a stop? Or just normal driving, just not goosing it all the time?

[oldgold70c10]

Install a vacuum guage & try to drive with the highest reading possible. Have your carb tuned properly, HEI, small V8, and don't haul around extra junk in the bed. I got 18 mpg highway last night driving 65-70MPH, you can see what my truck has in sig. City milage is really very bad though...

[Boog]

Driving around with extra stuff in the bed and or a full fuel tank definately costs mpg. I have seen a formula some time back for figuring just how much it takes to carry an additional 100 lb around. You may be carrying a couple 100 lb in the tool box alone.
Consider a full fuel tank at a couple 100 lb.
Properly adjusted brake shoes lessen drag.
An electric fan conversion can be worth 1-2 mpg and a few horses.
Matched sized alternator for your electrical needs?
Synthetic gear fluids reduce friction.
Extended warm up time makes truck easier to get going but uses a good bit of fuel during high idle time.
A clean, polished vehicle slips through the air easier.

[eightbanger]

Just to make you all feal better about your fuel costs, petrol (Gas) is £5.60 a Gallon here in the UK, so work that out with the exchange rate which is two Dollars to the Pound, and that means im paying $10.30 a Gallon for my truck.

most popular comment I get is...."you must have your own petrol station in your back yard mate".

Hell a pint of milk is still more expensive than a pint of petrol so don't ask me how much my truck drinks and I won't ask how much milk you put on your Cornflakes.

[Cannon007]

a gallon of milk here is usualy about $3 lol