Fuel economy

[stevenelle]

I know that these engines were not designed for fuel efficiency and I know we can't expect miracles. But are there ways to improve mpg by a few notches? I drive a B2B every day, but only about 150 miles per month. For the last 2 years I have kept good records and get 10 mpg, give or take. This is city driving and short trips - the engine often does not warm up. I know this is less than ideal operating conditions.

What kind of mileage are some of you getting? And what have you done to improve fuel efficiency? I'm talking here about engine related improvements, not drive train modifications?

[Dennis_MN]

Mine is a '49 1/2 ton. Miles and fuel consumption checked with a GPS on a road trip last summer. Speed held around 50 - 55 burning non-oxignated

(read no ethanol or high test fuel)

Ran at 15 - 16 mpg. Never checked it around town because the speedometer is off and using the gps every time is a pain. I did purchase a bike speedometer to install when I did the brake job but it was too much work so I installed in on a bike instead.

The only change from stock is that I'm running radials

Dennis

[bach4660]

Mine is the 1- ton, only getting 10mpg.

[Guest 51plymouthod]

At 50 or 55 on the highway, mine gets 15 MPG or a little bit better.

B-1-C, 218 CID, rebuilt engine, 7.00x15" Yokohama radials on OE rims, 4.10 axle. I've heard others, more knowledgable, say these old pickups will cruise at 60 to 65. Mine wants to cruise at 50 to 55, so that's where I run it. BTW, I feel 15 to 16 is good highway mileage for what these trucks are. Our 2003 Tundra 4WD @70 MPH seldom does better than 17 MPG on the road, and it's turning fewer RPM's at 70 than the Dodge is at 50.

[dmulhall]

might want to get the lastest computer upgrades and a K and N oilbath filter

[bach4660]

might want to get the lastest computer upgrades and a K and N oilbath filter

like a firmware update, isn't that the stock answer anytime you call a help line

[bach4660]

might want to get the lastest computer upgrades and a K and N oilbath filter

like a firmware update, isn't that the stock answer anytime you call a help line

[Aaron]

Amazing that we have gone 60 years and still don't get better then 15mpg with our pickups!

[greg g]

I just took a trip in my P15 coupe. I run a 56 230 engine, with dual carbs. The car has the standard three speed trans so 1 to 1 top gear, and a 4.10 rear end. I have 225 75r 15's on the rear. I drove between 60 and 65 indicated on the highway. Numbers look like this; Total trip was 826 miles gas used 42 gallons (19.66666 mpg). Why would the trucks be any lower???

I know taller tires help as I had 205 on and gas milage was in the 16 17 range.

I would think that if you are only using your truck as a pleasure vehicle, that a lower ratio rear ends would be beneficial for truck economy as long as load hauling isn't the equation on a regular basis. B Body axles, Jeep Cherokees, and the hot rodders favorite the ford rears are good doners, 3.55. 3.23, and 2.90 gear sets are available.

I recently spoke to a fellow who has a set up similar to what I am working on with my studebaker truck. I will be running a 259 v8 (his is a 289) 4 bbl, GM auto OD (.76 top gear) coupled to a ford rear end with 3.73, and 235 75r 15 tires. He says he can cruise at 65 at in the mid 20's mpg.

So if your just building a cruise fun truck, put in the lowest numerical rear end gears and the tallest tires you can fit, and there should be some significant economy gains.

[Allen I.]

aforests wrote:

Amazing that we have gone 60 years and still don't get better then 15mpg with our pickups!

My father in law and I have discussed that in the past. We have come to an agreement that the difference is hundreds of horsepower versus dozens of horsepower and there is too much money out there for companies NOT to improve fuel efficiency.

Over the years there have been many tinkerers that have greatly improved fuel efficiency on their personal vehicles but nothing ever went mainstream. With the environmental concerns and hydrogen cars being made, we should see that change. I would not be suprised if both vice presidential nominees are established "greenies".

[TodFitch]

Amazing that we have gone 60 years and still don't get better then 15mpg with our pickups!

Because it typically did not sell. But power and luxury have traditionally sold very well. So every advance in engine efficiency has been put to use in getting faster acceleration out of a heavier vehicle.

[Young Ed]

I just took a trip in my P15 coupe. I run a 56 230 engine, with dual carbs. The car has the standard three speed trans so 1 to 1 top gear, and a 4.10 rear end. I have 225 75r 15's on the rear. I drove between 60 and 65 indicated on the highway. Numbers look like this; Total trip was 826 miles gas used 42 gallons (19.66666 mpg). Why would the trucks be any lower???

Greg I can't really explain it either but I swear my truck gets worse mileage too. They are both similarly equiped with rebuilt 218s and standard 3spds. The truck has 215/85R16s and a 3.90 and the car has 215/75R15s and a 3.73. On my ~600mi trip last fall I got 19.9mpg in the car. My truck I went on a 72 mile trip about a month ago and used up 1/2 a tank. I didn't get back to the station to calculate the mpg but using up 1/2 a tank in that short of a time would be way worse then the mpg my car gets.

[greg g]

Is the compression in the truck motors lower than similar car engines???? more squeeze will give a bigger and mor effective bang. MIliing the head is the most cost effective way to get more compression.

[Young Ed]

Greg I have a p23 car motor in my truck I really need to check the MPG more accurately and get a better comparison.

[MBF]

I just checked the mileage on my 52 1 ton on a 60 mile trip to a show and back. Got just almost 13! I noticed my front tires are a little bit soft, and I've got the brakes a little too tight. I thought I was pushing it at 45 (she's a lot happier at 40 in my mind at least). Now that I have a baseline I can start messing. By the way-my homemade PCV system and the 165 thermostat is doing a good job of keeping the oil noticibly cleaner. I'm thinking of going to radials in the rear if I can find a set of 6 drop center 6 hole 16" Budds. Mike

[bkahler]

I think aerodynamics has a lot to do with the mileage difference.

As an example, our 1984 Airstream 31' motorhome gets 8 mpg with a chevy 454 yet with our 1983 27' Winnebago motorhome with chevy 454 that we used to have we were lucky to get 6 mpg. The Winnebago is shaped like a box where the Airstream is rounded and flows well.

Brad