Long post but need opinion

[c10chevy69]

I am in need of another vehicle at this point. I have the 69 and a 2000 Kia with 121,000+ miles on it. The thing is I don't want to put out hundreds of dollars every month for the next few years and not have much to show for it when all is said and done. I want something that gets decent mileage (around 20+ if possible).

Now here is what I am thinking about doing. I am going to hunt down a 250 or 292 six and if possible put it in front of a 200r4. The plan is to rebuild both engine and trans before any bodywork gets done. That way I can still drive it when I need it . I was going the strip the truck down, repaint the frame and change or add new parts as needed. Do the rust repair on the cab and repaint. Strip and repaint the fenders, hood, doors, and the bed. Put on new wheels, tires and a new windshield. A new wiring harness will be added as well. I will sell off the crate 350 and th350 that are in it now to help pay for part of the money needed.

Now if I put about $300-500 into it every month for the next 2-3 years do you think it can be done a little at a time? Also will my engine choice get me close to my mileage goal? This will be my daily driver and will occasionally have to haul some stuff but not often.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

From my experience the 6 cylinder engines don't get any better mileage then the 8 cylinder small blocks so my suggestion would be to stay with the v-8 and install the 2004R behind it.

Jim

[rsavage]

I agree with Jim, but even with the 200 4r, I very much doubt you will get to your 20+ mpg. Perhaps you should look for a small used car similar to what you have that won't cost you an arm and a leg and continue to work on the truck?

[Hottrucks]

Originally Posted by JimKshortstep4x4

From my experience the 6 cylinder engines don't get any better mileage then the 8 cylinder small blocks so my suggestion would be to stay with the v-8 and install the 2004R behind it.

Jim

I agree

plus figure in the $$$ save on reg and Ins.

300 will buy alot of nice parts like fenders doors or in a couple months a bed..the wear and tear parts are going o be the same in a few months will equal a piant job or a set of wheels

thats what I'm doing

[Mike C]

What's wrong with the Kia? Should go a lot further than that.

I would sell your 350/TH350 combo and get a 5.3 4L65E combo. The fuel injected motor and OD will get you close to 20.

[chevytruckluver]

Originally Posted by Mike C

What's wrong with the Kia? Should go a lot further than that.

I would sell your 350/TH350 combo and get a 5.3 4L65E combo. The fuel injected motor and OD will get you close to 20.

I Agree ^^The only way you will see 20+mpg is with the vortec engine, sell the engine combo you have now and then go by a low mile complete engine and tranny out of a late model truck from a wrecking yard. Do as you said with a few hundred a month you will have a great truck that will run like a new one.
bide your time and start collecting parts! Keep that classic on the road man!

[Lippyp]

Blimey, decent mileage over here involves a small diesel car and 50+mpg.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by Lippyp

Blimey, decent mileage over here involves a small diesel car and 50+mpg.

I wish the feds would let the American manufacturers build a small diesel car that gets 50+ mpg. Right now about the only thing out there is VW but I only buy American.

If you want good mileage out of a 67-72 and you don't want to transplant the latest, fuel injected stuff from GM, build the smallest displacement small block V8 you can get your hands on. Put vortec heads on it and a roller cam in it. If you spend any time north of 55 mph put an overdrive behind it. Then when you drive it keep your foot out of it.

Even with all that I bet you don't do better than 18 mpg.

Fuel mileage wise you're already in the best place you can be. Small crap can gas sipper and a nice truck you are proud to be seen in. If you want to max out your crap can mileage look for a 5-speed 93-95 Ford Escort. I took one from new past 250,000 miles and got 38-40 mpg on the freeway all day long. I gave it to a guy who took it to 298,800. I threatened to come get it running so he could hit the 300k mark but never made it over there before he had it hauled away.

Personally I wouldn't spend too much money on your truck attempting to get good mileage other than the basics. Good tune up, tires properly inflated, clean air filter, etc.

[Hottrucks]

Vortecs don't fit 283 the bore is to small...but you could add them to your crate engine...with the overdrive...

but like I said then $$ you spend to gain 5 mpg will buy alot of gas...not to mention the cost of a swap and the BS involved....stick with what you have swap the 200r out which is a direct bolt in except for the speedo thing...

besides like I said 300 X the 30 months is $9000 you should have a REALLY NICE truck in a couple years.......and it will be worth more that anything you buy now..

[71meangreenc10]

Seriously,

Please show me how you can get 18+ MPG on these trucks....remove the bed, put in a 5 speed, 3.08 rear end, fuel injection etc.... The only way I can see it is to put in a diesel with a 2wd set up and thats maybe.....

New ones are only getting 21-22 average highway mpg, and 13-17 (and 17 is pushing it) in the city with overdrives.


Let the fun begin....


Smitty

[chevy_mike]

If you are looking for gas mileage, stay away from the 292. They are torque monsters but not gas savers.

Best I ever did on my last '68 was 21 mpg on a longer freeway drive. That was with a basic 350 crate engine, 700R4, 4:10 gears with 27" tall tires. Running a quad-jet carb and keeping my foot out of the secondaries.

Honestly these trucks are not going to be a big fuel saver. I did the math one day regarding the cost of a OD transmission versus fuel savings and it would take a long time to pay off.

[71swb4x4]

Drive the Kia until the wheels fall off. You shouldn't have to put much money into it.


Your post is a bit confusing. Are you getting another vehicle, or doing an engine swap? If you aren't sure, I would do neither. Keep the Kia and drive the wheels off it, or sell the Kia and use that money to fix the truck up.
Do not buy another vehicle just to save on gas. If you spend $5,000 on a different vehicle, it will take you a LONG time to get that $5,000 back in gas savings.
If you spend $2,000 rebuilding a 6 cylinder and installing an overdrive trans, again it will take you a long time to make that money back in gas savings.

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by c10chevy69

I am in need of another vehicle at this point. I have the 69 and a 2000 Kia with 121,000+ miles on it. The thing is I don't want to put out hundreds of dollars every month for the next few years and not have much to show for it when all is said and done. I want something that gets decent mileage (around 20+ if possible).

Now here is what I am thinking about doing. I am going to hunt down a 250 or 292 six and if possible put it in front of a 200r4. The plan is to rebuild both engine and trans before any bodywork gets done. That way I can still drive it when I need it . I was going the strip the truck down, repaint the frame and change or add new parts as needed. Do the rust repair on the cab and repaint. Strip and repaint the fenders, hood, doors, and the bed. Put on new wheels, tires and a new windshield. A new wiring harness will be added as well. I will sell off the crate 350 and th350 that are in it now to help pay for part of the money needed.

Now if I put about $300-500 into it every month for the next 2-3 years do you think it can be done a little at a time? Also will my engine choice get me close to my mileage goal? This will be my daily driver and will occasionally have to haul some stuff but not often.

I have owned a Kia. You have already paid out hundreds per month and don't have much to show for it (Kia).

Nix the six and go for an LS engine to get your mileage goal.

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

Vortecs don't fit 283 the bore is to small...

I think Vortec heads came on a 305 with 3.736 dia bore. No reason they won't fit a 3.875 bore. He could go as small as the 265 with a 3.75 bore.

[Hottrucks]

Originally Posted by 71tahoe

I think Vortec heads came on a 305 with 3.736 dia bore. No reason they won't fit a 3.875 bore. He could go as small as the 265 with a 3.75 bore.

thats what I was told never did any research on it.......

[c10chevy69]

I am not looking to get rid of this truck at all. I finally have the money to fix this old truck up. I had planned on driving the Kia into the ground (bought new in 99 yeah I know big mistake). I was looking for opinions on the 6 vs. 8 and I think it is pretty one sided towards the v8. I don't want to mess with the electronics of the new motors so the LS is out. I will just have to live with around 15mpg. I bought a 200r4 today from a local board member. I am going to have it rebuilt and put it in while the cab is off. I have a 3.08 rear and I have heard that I should step up to the 3.42. Is this correct or will the 3.08 work? My wheel and tire choice is the 15" ss crager. How much longer do you think that the 275/60/15 are going to be made? Everything is 17"+ now but I have not found anything that I like in that size wheel. Thank you for your help guys it is greatly appreciated.

[caminokid]

Getting a higher gear in the rear will help alot. But wont be much on take off...but wont be turning higher RPM's. Higher RPM's = more gas. Any small block Chevy carb or fuelie with the right heads and cam will make better gas mileage. Better the flow and match up of the heads, cam, carburation and exhaust, will give you better gas mileage.

[c10chevy69]

That is what I was figuring. I can drive conservative when needed. Anyone know anything about the 15" tires?