Mileaged?

[Toby218]

I have a 72 f250 4x4 Highboy, 360 2bl, 4 speed, Dana 60 rear, 4:10 gears. I get about 7 miles per gallon. Is that what I should expect?

 

[clutch]

Welcome, sounds like a sweet truck, what sort of tires are you running? Is the parking brake and cables functional? 7mpg's does seem a bit low, but I do not have much experience with that particular setup. I had a '74 Camper Special 2wd with a 460 and the C6 3spd auto, got 8mpg.

 

[Toby218]

Tires are 265/70 15. It's an OK truck. Needs some work. I just bought it for $1200. runs good,

 

[smokey]

7 is a bit low. I got about 9 out of the 360 I had. If I babied it 11mpg

 

[clutch]

hey, thanks for posting some pics, I like it! What I was getting at with the brakes is they could be creating drag...

 

[SuperCab]

How fast are you driving ?


With 4.10 gears your mileage will suck if you go much over 60mph...

 

[Toby218]

You ain't kidding. At 55mph she's turning just under 3,000 rpm. I rarely go over 50. I have a 18 mile drive to work with about 6 red lights. But I bet she will climb a cliff and pull a trailer along the way.

 

[Toby218]

Clutch, If I keep the E brake pushed in about half way it doesn't roll backwards from a stop. J/K The brake works fine.

 

[LEB Ben]

My guess is a thorough tune up and fresh vacuum lines would be worth a 2 mpg boost. However, when I had 4.10's in my 77 with a 400/c6, I topped out at 8mpg's...I wouldn't expect much more than that.

 

[Toby218]

She has a new Air filter, fresh oil and filter, spark plugs, rotor, points, and cap. I can't think of anything else to change for under $20 and an hours work.

 

[SuperCab]

Then you probably have a 7mpg truck. I've had them before. The only other thing would be accelerate gently...


You say it's a 2v carb... A motorcrap carb??? If so, swapping to a better carb may help a little...

 

[Toby218]

I plan on making an Edelbrock performer and 4 barrel swap after the first of the year. I hope that boost my power and mileage a little.

 

[SuperCab]

That should definitely help as long as you keep your foot out of it...

Also if you run across 255/85/16 or 285/75/16 tires that will help your top speed and mileage a little. They are 2" taller than the ones your running now...

 

[Toby218]

Well, today I found out why I'm only getting 7 mpg. I have a dead cylinder. I know my hearing isn't as good as it was 10 years ago, but I thought I could hear that. Not sure what to do next. You man says NEW MOTOR. another man says "sell it to the rock crawlers". I hate to see the truck disassembled for axles tranny and transver, But I don't have $2000 for a new motor.

 

[SuperCab]

Dead how? No compression?


And don't feel bad that you didn't notice it... We had one once that had less than 100psi in 4 cylinders... 2 were at 70psi and it ran like a top. Never knew till we checked the compression.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Dead cylinder being what exactly?....worn ring or valve(s)?...hole in piston?

 

[Toby218]

Not sure. I was talking to a mechanic and he said if the headed tube is cool that cylinder isn't firing. I need to pull a plug and check the compression. Maybe the pliug is just fouled.

 

[LEB Ben]

Pull a junkyard engine, or check the local classifieds...I'd bet you could find a good runner for less than $200.

 

[SuperCab]

Yeah... Could just need plugs/wires/cap/rotor replaced.

 

[Toby218]

I found an easy and inexpensive way to boost my mileage this morning. Make sure the transfer case is in 2 wheel drive. My mileage should improve now. LOL What a Stooge!