LEB Ben
Arrogant A-hole At-Large
Since there seems to always be someone asking how to improve mileage in 73-79 trucks, I figured this info could be useful to someone. I started with a 1979 Bronco with a 1978 400 that had roughly 100k original miles. I was getting somewhere between 7.5-8mpgs with an engine that was a little tired and was leaking. After 3 tanks of gas, I am right at 9.5mpg's and that's with some relative flogging, burnouts and excessive idling. I also bumped the timing from 12* to 14*. So once I tone down the lead foot, my numbers may increase. Anyway, here's a part list of everything I used to increase 1.5-2 mpgs:
Timing Chain: Feels a little cheap, so I think I'll go back to Cloyes next time around
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-2121/
Gasket Set: Used every piece in this set except for the valve stems, personally I prefer cork gaskets, but the rubber components seem to be doing the job
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-KS2308/
Coil: Figured the upgrade was worth $30:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PNX-40011/
Plug Wires: I prefer the straight plug boots, and probably will never get 135* boots again. Seems like a good quality discount set of wires to upgrade to.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TAY-64663/
Carb Renew kit: I was surprised at how good my carb looked. I coulda reused everything, but figured while it was apart and I had a kit, it wouldn't hurt.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLY-37-935/
Spark Plugs: Regular old copper Motorcrafts, no need for anything else on street rig.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACF-SP450/
I also replaced all filters and got them from local parts stores. I used Rotella T 15w-40 from Wal-Mart and NAPA 50/50 coolant, whatever was on sale.
Disclaimer...results may vary, just figured I'd post up what a couple hundred bucks and a good tune up could do for your ride.
While a couple hundred may sound like alot to spend on this stuff, I figure I can roughly go another 50 miles on a 25 gallon tank. 50 miles used to be 7 gallons of gas. At 2.80 a gallon I'm saving $19.60 to go the same distance as before. So after fill up #10, I should break even. I fill up twice a week, so in week 6 I'll be money ahead.
Timing Chain: Feels a little cheap, so I think I'll go back to Cloyes next time around
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-2121/
Gasket Set: Used every piece in this set except for the valve stems, personally I prefer cork gaskets, but the rubber components seem to be doing the job
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-KS2308/
Coil: Figured the upgrade was worth $30:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PNX-40011/
Plug Wires: I prefer the straight plug boots, and probably will never get 135* boots again. Seems like a good quality discount set of wires to upgrade to.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TAY-64663/
Carb Renew kit: I was surprised at how good my carb looked. I coulda reused everything, but figured while it was apart and I had a kit, it wouldn't hurt.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLY-37-935/
Spark Plugs: Regular old copper Motorcrafts, no need for anything else on street rig.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ACF-SP450/
I also replaced all filters and got them from local parts stores. I used Rotella T 15w-40 from Wal-Mart and NAPA 50/50 coolant, whatever was on sale.
Disclaimer...results may vary, just figured I'd post up what a couple hundred bucks and a good tune up could do for your ride.
While a couple hundred may sound like alot to spend on this stuff, I figure I can roughly go another 50 miles on a 25 gallon tank. 50 miles used to be 7 gallons of gas. At 2.80 a gallon I'm saving $19.60 to go the same distance as before. So after fill up #10, I should break even. I fill up twice a week, so in week 6 I'll be money ahead.
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