Mileage Quest 2011!

[70_F100]

Joe, I had some good luck working with my secondary jets on the 600 that's on my truck.

I bought this kit from Holley: http://www.holley.com/34-6.asp

I gets rid of the secondary metering plate and replaces it with a full metering block similar to what's on the primary side.

So what does this do? I guess in the event that I don't get my ideal a/f ratio during hard throttle situations I would be able to taylor it to my liking?

Pretty much right on!!

It will allow you to change the secondary jets, whereas the metering plate that comes stock restricts you to what Holley wants you to have.

[fomocoguy]

Well, I did a mileage run today. With the clutch fan installed and the 600 Holley properly adjusted (but not tuned at all- just right out of the box components) I pulled down 12.5 mpg. I think it's running a little rich at cruise, but when I order my a/f ratio monitor we will find out for sure. So, as it sits I'm getting the same mileage I started with. Hopefully carb tuning will make a big difference. I have to consider a few other things though. First I've moved, so my route has to change. Todays was pretty similar to the old one, so it shouldn't make that much of a difference, but it could. Second it was 22 degrees this morning for my run, and the last one I did was when it was about 90 degrees. I'm sure that has a negative effect on things. Anyways, we will see what happpens with some fine tuning soon.

[woods]

Well, your carb is not tuned (like you said). However, if you're being really picky about fuel mileage, winter has a big effect on it. Number one is the winter blend fuel. The energy in winter fuel is not as high as the regular stuff, so you are not going to get as far on the same amount.
Another thing is oil thickness. You would be really surprised how long it takes for oil to get to full operating temperature even in the summer time. So make it 20 degrees outside and it takes even longer. Thicker oil creates drag.
It also takes longer for your truck to heat up. When not running at a warm temperature, it is not as efficient.
Tires...you have big tires (compared to a car) when they are cold, they have more rolling resistance, also, a drop in ambient temperature makes the pressure in the tire itself lower.
Put all these things together and you drop some mileage. My orange truck drops 17% of it's mileage in the coldest part of the winter. So, to get a really good reading on your mpg, it will have to be an average of summer and winter together.

Think of it this way though for right now. You just added a whole lot of power to your truck and had the mpg stay the same. That in itself is not too shabby, but...we you can make it better with tuning. So good all the way around really.

[fomocoguy]

17%! Wow, that's quite a drop. So theoretically if I saw the same kind of drop as you in the winter, if it was summer I'd be getting 14.6 mpg. Sounds good, I'll go with that.
Maybe if I can get it up to 13 or 14 in the winter I'll hit 15 or more in the summer. That would be nice.

You're right though, my mileage stayed the same and I've got a lot more power, plus I haven't even tuned it yet. Yesterday I hauled a big load of firewood and the extra power was definetly nice to have.

One other thing is I think I may try to find a set of 33" all terrains to put on my aluminum slots again. I like the military diggers, but I guess I'm getting old cuz I'm getting a little tired of hearing them. The truck also has a very "comfortable" cruise rpm that used to hit about 60mph but with the 35's it hits more around 65, and I wouldn't mind going back to the way it was.

[woods]

I do get about 15mpg with my truck in the summer (but I have to be trying). Tires make a big difference. Ryan got my old slots for his truck. So, now I will have to dig up another set. I just like them.

[fomocoguy]

I do get about 15mpg with my truck in the summer (but I have to be trying). Tires make a big difference. Ryan got my old slots for his truck. So, now I will have to dig up another set. I just like them.

Yeah, I knew when I took them off that I'd probably eventually put them back on. My brother works at a place that details airplanes and he does a lot of polishing aluminum, so I'm gonna have him spiff 'em up before I put them back on. They just look "right" for our trucks.

[woods]

I think so too. I need to get a polisher that does not quote me such high prices. I have polished a few sets of slots myself. I don't really have any polishing equiptment (not good stuff anyway) so it can be a bit of a hassle.

[marxtoys]

I came to realize that 10 to 12 was about the best that an F250 with a big block was going to do in the fuel economy department. I also came to realize that most of my trips to town were not involving a truckload of anything.

Enter the Zook.


1995 Suzuki Swift. It runs ok. It smokes a little. The heater kicks butt. It has a big block - a 1.3 four-banger instead of the 1.0l triple(smallblock).

It gets around 40 mpg. I put gas in today. The gauge was below empty and it took $28 to fill the tank.

It isn't going to haul much firewood or scrap iron and it can't pull #73 to the track, so, the ol' pick-em-up isn't going away anytime soon.

[fomocoguy]

Well, lucky for me I've got a company supplied work van that is my daily driver and they pay the gas bill, so no daily commuter charge for me. My gal's car gets about 25 average so if we go anywhere far we take it, but that's not real often.

My a/f ratio gauge and electronics showed up today! Hopefully I can find some time tomorrow and monday to get it all installed.

[woods]

Looking forward to where you're at with A/F ratio right now.

[fomocoguy]

Yeah, me too. It will be interesting to see how far off the carb is in it's original configuration.

[fomocoguy]

Air fuel monitor installed! I got it all buttoned up today, but no time for a test drive. I'll get her out in the next few days and see where I'm at.

[67 428 F250]

Does taller gears mean anything?, Spark plugs light grey?

[woods]

What part of the plug light gray at what rpm chop with what fuel?

[cowbay]

Air fuel monitor installed! I got it all buttoned up today, but no time for a test drive. I'll get her out in the next few days and see where I'm at.
[ Image ]

Nice job on the install there. I am sure your results will be eye opening . It was for me on the Impala. Let us know on the update