1976 390 2 barell Bone Stock
c-6
3.50 gears

What can I do to my engine to get as good of gas mileage as possible
Without doing any heavy modifications. (timing, carb. settings...)

 

Change to 3.00 gears. That will give you the most bang for your buck.
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John

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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

I'm just wordering what kind of gas mileage you're getting .i just rebuilt my 390 stock also with 2bbl.I read this form alot . the guys on here say the four bbl is the way to go the best mileage i read someone else had was about 15 mpg.thats not getting on it.

 

>Change to 3.00 gears. That will give you the most bang for
>your buck.
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>John
>
>jowilker email me
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>Member 0004 since 01 01
>
>[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NCFTO]
>North Carolina Ford Truck Owners Group
>
>In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies
>rusting away.


>Change to 3.00 gears.<(rearend or trans)
i dont know much or just little of nothing about things like this.foregive me for being stupid but can you change the gears in the rearend with out changing the whole thing if so how i go about doing it.

 

Yes, you can change the gears in the rear end. It is reccomended to have a knowledgeable person do it. It is probably about $400 to get new gears installed.
You may be able to find a complete axle at the wrecking yard that has better gears for mileage. That would cost less, but you don't know what you are getting. You would also need to know how to ID the different axles and gear ratios.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Nov-02 AT 07:22&nbsp;PM (EST)]>Yes, you can change the gears in the rear end. It is
>reccomended to have a knowledgeable person do it. It is
>probably about $400 to get new gears installed.
>You may be able to find a complete axle at the wrecking yard
>that has better gears for mileage. That would cost less, but
>you don't know what you are getting. You would also need to
>know how to ID the different axles and gear ratios.

how to ID the different axles and gear ratios.
is there a book or a site with the IDs.
I got a 68 f100 longbed with a 390 everybody says its 3speed with 4th granny. i dont know what kind of trnny it is.how would i find that out.is there an id# on it.or it there a book or site on that.please dont bash me for being stupid i just love my truck.plus i have a 7yr old son maybe i will learn enough one day where i can help him in the future.not trying to sound soby just wanting a little more knowledge

 

A small 4v like a 400cfm or smaller,will get you stumped at the pump
it fills up so fast. Ive gotten up to 18mpg @65mph.high comp could
be the reason but I have no clue whats inside the engine.


Fe power

 

I would recomend putting on a 4bbl. I put one on my 352 and I am now getting 12mpg on the freeway. I also have 4.56 gears. Also check to make sure that your distributor is still in good condition. If the mechanical or vaccum advance are getting worn it will affect your mpg. Before I put the 4bbl Edelbrock 600 cfm carb on I was only getting 9mpg on the freeway, on a good day.

 

68, Yes you can change out the center section of the Ford 9". 3 qts. of gear oil a gasket and it can be changed out in an hour, and for $50.00-125.00 depending on what you can find the 3.00 gear for. You should be able to pick up one for the lower side of that range.

New Performer intake $225.00, carb $225-400.00 depending on choice and a day to change out. You tell me which is the more bang for the buck. I have headers and a 4 barrel on one of my trucks and my new 390 has stock manifolds and a 2 barrel because a 4 barrel doesn't make better gas milage. IMHO of course.
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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-Nov-02 AT 08:32&nbsp;PM (EST)]I thought new gears cost about $150. And I was also told that installing these is an art that should be done only by the very knowledgeable. If not done just right, gears wear early and whine.

Quotes that I recieved for a gear change were in the $400 range. Of course that was on a more recent 9.75" Ford axle. A 9" may be cheaper.

Are those prices for junk-yard center sections?

 

Im pretty sure he was giving the junkyard center section price. Those other prices you got for replacing with new gears sound about right too.

 

I don't know where you found a 9.75 from, I'm not used to that one at all, but the 9" is a very common item. I have seen 3.25 center chunks go for as little as $25.00 already pulled and cleaned. I have changed one out in an hour.

Maybe someone saw you coming. LOL
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John

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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

Depending on your location, I'll swap my 2.75's for your 3.50's.

 

I just put new 3.50's in my truck, so i'm not going to change again.

Any other ideas???

 

I would simply tune the engine I have. Be sure compression is within specifications, timing chain tight, distributor functioning properly and choke and warm air systems working. True dual exhaust with a crossover or Dr. Gas X pipe will also help! Keep the tires inflated near MFG recommended max. Drive it with an easy foot, pretend there is an egg under your foot as you accelerate. Plan your stops, try to use the brakes as little as possible. These Fe motors should get 12MPG all day when tuned and driven with care. I get a real and consistent 12MPG and I do not hesitate to gass it when somebody pis%$# me off and needs to get passed. Course I'm old and mean! Gas here in Georgia is $1.09 for 87 octane, this morning!
William in atlanta