Newbie Here

[Barber Pole Guy]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and would like to introduce myself. My name's Chris Morris, from Salem, IN. I play with airplanes as a job, I work on barber poles as a sideline, and I fart around with a 1981 F100 as a hobby. In my 50's with lots of kids, short, and fat, but I roll well!

I don't know which thread to post my question in, but I trust someone here will direct me to the right place. The F100 is an I-6/three speed. I just had the carb overhauled and the truck tuned up, but my mileage stinks. Granted, it's a sled that wasn't built for economy, but after all that, I'm getting 16 hwy. My buddy, with EXACTLY the same truck, gets 19. Am I missing something here? Is there something else I should change/replace/update? I looked high and low to find this baby, specifically looking for a manual for better mileage. I bought this truck because of the 3 speed, so I could carry three people without someone getting hit in the knee from shifting, so I don't want to put a floor-mounted overdrive in it. I've seen overdrives in early 70's trucks mounted under the dash...is that an option for an 81, like a retro fit? It's got a 3.08 rear end, so I don't want to go much higher than that. I'm open for suggestions from anybody.

Thanks for wahtever help you all can give, and the site seems like a good spot for info and conversation. I'm glad to be here.

 

[flareside_thunder]

Cool job, cool sideline job and cool truck. Welcome to the site! I don't suppose your timing was checked/readjusted when the tuneup was done? I'd for sure look at that as that can affect mileage, power, etc.

 

[slmann]

Welcome to the site.

 

[Beach66Bum]

Welcome to FTF
another Gen.7 Bullnose!!!
wish I got that mileage

 

[taxreliever]

Welcome!!!!!!!

 

[smokey]

Welcome to FTF

 

[Barber Pole Guy]

Thanks for all the welcoming comments folks. From the posts I've been reading, it seems the information flows freely here, which is great. Nothing like a good mix of ideas.

flareside_thunder, the timing hasn't been checked yet, but now the motor has developed an intermittent miss. Mileage is down to around 13 now. It almosts acts like the carb is loading up, like the choke is stuck open, but everything is working freely. I'm not sure if it's the carb or not; I'm only referencing that because I remember my Dad talking about "the damn carb loading up" when I was a kid and the family car was doing about the same thing. Any suggestions?

Also, does anyone know if the old style overdrives (with the pull handle under the dash) will work on this truck? I'd like to put an OD in, but I want to stay away from a floor shift. I remember the late '60's and early '70's had the underdash handle that engaged it. If it can be done, that would work out great. Once again, any and all help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Chris

 

[mtflat]

It could be your buddy is lying about his 19mpg - lol

What exactly was done to the carb? If it was just a gasket kit - and wasn't totally disassembled - it probably isn't doing the job it should.

I had a new 77 with the 300 I6, manual and it always got 13-16. Never more, never less. The guys in the 80-86 forum will be a great source of info for you - here's a link.

http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=83

 

[polarbear]

Welcome to FTF!

 

[Evan's f250]

Hey, Welcome to the forum. I'm actually pretty local to you..I live just outside of Bedford, IN. That's really not too bad of milage for what ya got. new spark plugs, wires, dist cap, rotar, air filter, pcv valve could help on mpg if they haven't been changed in a while.