increasing gas mileage - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

farside847 · 08-26-2005, 12:35 PM

Is there any truth to the rumor that leaving your tailgate down increases MPG?

86swb · 08-26-2005, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8bolt

Gas up here in Canada is near 5 bucks a gallon I hope this will make your truck seam a little easyer on gas.

$5.00 a gallon?

Do you guys up there make twice the money we make in the states?

86swb · 08-26-2005, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farside847

Is there any truth to the rumor that leaving your tailgate down increases MPG?

Yes, it does help. Cuts down on the drag. Anyway, that is what I have always been told.

Scooter67 · 08-26-2005, 01:02 PM

Skinny tires have less rolling resistance than wide ones. If they're tall enough, they can look pretty good on a truck too.

Jim_PA · 08-26-2005, 01:31 PM

Also, keep the tire pressures higher, but don't go over the max listed on the tire.

It might ride a little rougher, but helps with rolling resistance as well.

HeavyD · 08-26-2005, 03:13 PM

No, we don't make more $$ and get taxed to death. Everyone I know just sucks it up and swears at the pump as they fill up.

86swb · 08-26-2005, 03:19 PM

So on a 20 Gal tank, to fill up it cost you $100.00? That is not good. Are there a lot of scooters there?

Wow. I should not laugh, it could be that high here in the states soon.

Ozark Tim · 08-26-2005, 03:52 PM

So you have heard plenty of good ideas about how to strech the miles out of each gallon of fuel you burn, and here is one more idea. Sounds like you were into power before and have a camshaft that is suited for that purpose. Have you ever worked with advancing or retarding your cam timing? I have, and you can change the timing to accomodate where the engine makes more or less horsepower by doing so. Of course there are limitations to how much you can change but 3 degrees of advance might work wonders for you, and you can buy the cam gear and a kit of press in bushings with different degree changes. You can even drill and press into your existing cam gear if you like. Off the motor of course. If you were to change your gearing overall in the rear differential, or the final drive ratio, i.e. ( overdrive ) and make some camshaft changes to put the power where you want it to serve you best you should see some improvments.That also goes for changing the advance curve on the distributor. Most people do not have a way to measure this, but if you know someone with a machine to test it you can give that Chevy something that all small blocks love, lots of advance timing. It also effects the mileage if manipulated correctly. By the way my bone stock original 71 Custom-10 with 350 V8, turbo 350 auto, and 3:07 differential gets from 13.5 to 15 mpg. That is with the original quadrajet and 92k miles.
Good luck,
OT

72str8flush · 08-26-2005, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farside847

Is there any truth to the rumor that leaving your tailgate down increases MPG?

I believe it works but have always heard that your bed sides might weaken and get out of line. Both made sense, so I left mine up. Saving a lil in gas didn't seem to justify having bowed in bed sides.

see ten · 08-26-2005, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim_PA

Agreed, but if you care that much about a thumbs up, suck it up and pay the extra gas money.

Not only am I burning less gas, I took a truck that wouldn't turn over the tires at a standstill and made it have the "one wheel appeal" all the way up to 3rd gear. Not to mention with the cost of fuel these mods will pay for themselves over time. Yeah it still sucks at the pump, and the wife and I have agreed our next vehicle to come in the yard has to get no less than 20mpg. The thumbs up are just a little perk of driving an old truck.

Martin64 · 08-26-2005, 07:30 PM

Here's my answer to high gas prices. It gets pretty good mileage and looks cool doing it..... I leave the truck parked as much as possible.

86swb · 08-26-2005, 07:51 PM

A lot more people might start buying those now. Heck, it is a good excuse to get one if you always wanted one. Just tell the little woman how it will pay for itself in no time.

see ten · 08-26-2005, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlarue72

see ten
I really like your set up with the electric fan, but flex a lite web site does not recommend for the main cooling source on a 4 core radiator. What do you think about this. I have a big block with air and a 4 core.
David

I wonder why they don't recommend it for a 4 core. Try and call a Tech and see what the reason is. They did suggest using this fan on my K10 and I liked it so much I used the same setup on the C10.

SERE · 08-27-2005, 01:20 PM

I run a 454 with a stock fan. Would a clutch fan work to increase the MPG?

Cat Fuzz · 08-27-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SERE

I run a 454 with a stock fan. Would a clutch fan work to increase the MPG?

Yep. Don't know how much though.

SERE · 08-27-2005, 04:36 PM

Thats good. I will try to let you guy's know how much the clutch fan helps. I just bought one I am putting it on this weekend.

Thanks

Later

FRENCHBLUE72 · 08-27-2005, 05:55 PM

Gas is $2.75 here in oregon cost me about $55 to fill up my blazer and it last's me longer than the $85 to fill up my expedition so if a truck is gonna leave my yard its gonna be the turd.......Btw way if you bought one of these trucks for milage you bought the wrong truck.......

wlarue72 · 08-27-2005, 09:15 PM

see ten, thanks for the response. I will call them. Looks to me that it should be no problem and will surely help on the gas mileage.

71-longbed · 08-27-2005, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Btw way if you bought one of these trucks for milage you bought the wrong truck.......

Couldn't of said it better .... i'd take my 71 over a new "plastic truck" with a huge monthly payment any D&$m day

**Boog** · 08-28-2005, 08:11 PM

Ah leave the tailgate up and put on a bed cover. They're cool and should get better results.
My 69 will be a gas hog for sure with a t350 and 4.11 gear but it won't be driven that much and I have a 3.08 to swap out later.
I looked online for that #295 flexalite fan kit and didn't find it. Found other numbers close to it though. Not bad pricing.

see ten · 08-28-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

Ah leave the tailgate up and put on a bed cover. They're cool and should get better results.
My 69 will be a gas hog for sure with a t350 and 4.11 gear but it won't be driven that much and I have a 3.08 to swap out later.
I looked online for that #295 flexalite fan kit and didn't find it. Found other numbers close to it though. Not bad pricing.

Try this link.
http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html...-electric.html

**Boog** · 08-29-2005, 07:53 PM

Yeah, that works. Looks like it has plenty of cfm. Clean installation.

mrein3 · 08-30-2005, 08:16 AM

Before you all run out and buy a donor cycle er I mean a motor cycle, please don't if you have a family. I hate seeing a young, now single mom try to raise a family with the bread earner in the family splattered on a guard rail.

I know a doctor who does call them donor cycles. Usually they are crashed by 20-something males full of healthy organs. And they usually come in with just a head injury so just about everything is usable.

Besides I understand donor cycles only get 30-40 miles per gallon. You can do that in a Cavilier or an Escort.

farside847 · 08-30-2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrein3

Before you all run out and buy a donor cycle er I mean a motor cycle, please don't if you have a family. I hate seeing a young, now single mom try to raise a family with the bread earner in the family splattered on a guard rail.

I know a doctor who does call them donor cycles. Usually they are crashed by 20-something males full of healthy organs. And they usually come in with just a head injury so just about everything is usable.

Besides I understand donor cycles only get 30-40 miles per gallon. You can do that in a Cavilier or an Escort.

My old Honda ascott got 60mpg. All the good 'ol days.

They say there are two kinds of riders out there, those that have gone down, and those that will. I have survived two crashes. I was hit once, and the second one there was an accident right in front of me. I skidded to a halt, lost my ballance and fell over - so I guess it doesnt really count sinse I didnt really hit anything...

HeavyD · 08-30-2005, 02:04 PM

I agree cycles are dangerous no matter who is at fault. My brother lost half his foot years ago aftewr being clipped by a car full of drunks. Would have had his melon splattered all over the place too if it wasn't for the helmet. Wear those things!

08-26-2005, 12:35 PM	#26
farside847 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 995	Is there any truth to the rumor that leaving your tailgate down increases MPG? __________________ 1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree

08-26-2005, 03:13 PM	#31
HeavyD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada Posts: 3,180	No, we don't make more $$ and get taxed to death. Everyone I know just sucks it up and swears at the pump as they fill up. __________________ "You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man"

08-26-2005, 03:19 PM	#32
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	So on a 20 Gal tank, to fill up it cost you $100.00? That is not good. Are there a lot of scooters there? Wow. I should not laugh, it could be that high here in the states soon. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS Last edited by 86swb; 08-26-2005 at 03:20 PM.

08-26-2005, 07:30 PM	#36
Martin64 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yuma, Az Posts: 477	Here's my answer to high gas prices. It gets pretty good mileage and looks cool doing it..... I leave the truck parked as much as possible. Attached Images __________________ Martin Gibson USAF Retired 1964(-ish) C10

08-26-2005, 07:51 PM	#37
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	A lot more people might start buying those now. Heck, it is a good excuse to get one if you always wanted one. Just tell the little woman how it will pay for itself in no time. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS Last edited by 86swb; 08-26-2005 at 07:51 PM.

08-26-2005, 01:02 PM	#29
Scooter67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: middle TN Posts: 87	Skinny tires have less rolling resistance than wide ones. If they're tall enough, they can look pretty good on a truck too. __________________ Here's my '67 stepside www.truckwithaheart.com

08-26-2005, 01:31 PM	#30
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Also, keep the tire pressures higher, but don't go over the max listed on the tire. It might ride a little rougher, but helps with rolling resistance as well.

08-26-2005, 03:52 PM	#33
Ozark Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakville, MO Posts: 1,018	So you have heard plenty of good ideas about how to strech the miles out of each gallon of fuel you burn, and here is one more idea. Sounds like you were into power before and have a camshaft that is suited for that purpose. Have you ever worked with advancing or retarding your cam timing? I have, and you can change the timing to accomodate where the engine makes more or less horsepower by doing so. Of course there are limitations to how much you can change but 3 degrees of advance might work wonders for you, and you can buy the cam gear and a kit of press in bushings with different degree changes. You can even drill and press into your existing cam gear if you like. Off the motor of course. If you were to change your gearing overall in the rear differential, or the final drive ratio, i.e. ( overdrive ) and make some camshaft changes to put the power where you want it to serve you best you should see some improvments.That also goes for changing the advance curve on the distributor. Most people do not have a way to measure this, but if you know someone with a machine to test it you can give that Chevy something that all small blocks love, lots of advance timing. It also effects the mileage if manipulated correctly. By the way my bone stock original 71 Custom-10 with 350 V8, turbo 350 auto, and 3:07 differential gets from 13.5 to 15 mpg. That is with the original quadrajet and 92k miles. Good luck, OT

08-27-2005, 01:20 PM	#39
SERE "AIRBORNE" Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 60	Clutch fan I run a 454 with a stock fan. Would a clutch fan work to increase the MPG? __________________ 69 GMC 2500 4X4 long stepside 454 BB

08-27-2005, 04:36 PM	#41
SERE "AIRBORNE" Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 60	cool Thats good. I will try to let you guy's know how much the clutch fan helps. I just bought one I am putting it on this weekend. Thanks Later __________________ 69 GMC 2500 4X4 long stepside 454 BB

08-27-2005, 05:55 PM	#42
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Gas is $2.75 here in oregon cost me about $55 to fill up my blazer and it last's me longer than the $85 to fill up my expedition so if a truck is gonna leave my yard its gonna be the turd.......Btw way if you bought one of these trucks for milage you bought the wrong truck....... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

08-27-2005, 09:15 PM	#43
wlarue72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 244	see ten, thanks for the response. I will call them. Looks to me that it should be no problem and will surely help on the gas mileage. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 402 daily driver. A lifetime project!

08-28-2005, 08:11 PM	#45
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,535	Ah leave the tailgate up and put on a bed cover. They're cool and should get better results. My 69 will be a gas hog for sure with a t350 and 4.11 gear but it won't be driven that much and I have a 3.08 to swap out later. I looked online for that #295 flexalite fan kit and didn't find it. Found other numbers close to it though. Not bad pricing. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

08-29-2005, 07:53 PM	#47
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,535	Yeah, that works. Looks like it has plenty of cfm. Clean installation. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

08-30-2005, 08:16 AM	#48
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,254	Before you all run out and buy a donor cycle er I mean a motor cycle, please don't if you have a family. I hate seeing a young, now single mom try to raise a family with the bread earner in the family splattered on a guard rail. I know a doctor who does call them donor cycles. Usually they are crashed by 20-something males full of healthy organs. And they usually come in with just a head injury so just about everything is usable. Besides I understand donor cycles only get 30-40 miles per gallon. You can do that in a Cavilier or an Escort. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN Last edited by mrein3; 08-30-2005 at 08:17 AM.



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08-30-2005, 02:04 PM	#50
HeavyD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada Posts: 3,180	I agree cycles are dangerous no matter who is at fault. My brother lost half his foot years ago aftewr being clipped by a car full of drunks. Would have had his melon splattered all over the place too if it wasn't for the helmet. Wear those things! __________________ "You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man" Last edited by HeavyD; 08-30-2005 at 02:04 PM.

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