Thread: would like good fuel economy.

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I have a brother that wants to set his 65 Chevy truck step side to get as much gas mileage as a VW .He is wanting to put a straight six,and a 700r4, will this combo bolt up fine?I am thinking 350(with proper compression and cam) with the 700 set up for best fuel economy.Will a 283,327 be better on gas mileage?

Don't know what kind of gas mileage the VW is getting, but a well tuned sbc crate motor with FI and a 700R should be able to get 23-24 mpg. If you want more than that (like 30 +) I would recommend a 1980 VW pickup with a 4 cyl diesel, and a 5 speed trans. That or just lie to him about the gas mileage.

A story about gas milage.
My step dad bought a used 84 olds with every option you could think of. From day one he told every one he was getting great milage. Well he lived next door to me so every night I or my brother would add gas to his tank. then he realy talked about his milage. After about a mounth of that we started removing gas. When he finely found out what we were up he was so p($$#d off he never mentioned he milage again.

What's his budget? I suggest a late model 4.8 or 5.3 Generation III V-8 and overdrive automatic from a Chevy pickup or Tahoe. If he is satisfied with 6 cyl power, then a late model V-6 EFI and OD trans from an S-10. It's hard to beat the late model V-8s for a combination of power, drivability and fuel mileage. And once you have them in and running, they are ultra dependable and low maintenance. He should be able to get a V8/Trans combo for $1000 or less if he shops carefully. There have been quite a few put into 50s-70s pickups already.

Pat

install a vacuum gauge and drive by it
you will not win the stop light grand prix by watching it
but the gas milage will go up if you can keep the needle above 10 inches of mercury(Hg)
baby the throttle
my two cents
hank

I don't remember the year but my brother had a Dodge or plymouth with an indicator light on the driver side fender when it was on you were wasting gas. It took time to learn to drive with it off. It was also the turn indicator for left turns.

Originally Posted by TOW'D

install a vacuum gauge and drive by it
you will not win the stop light grand prix by watching it
but the gas milage will go up if you can keep the needle above 10 inches of mercury(Hg)
baby the throttle
my two cents
hank

Excellent Hank, right on the money.....