MPG woes

thanks everyone for the suggestions, ideas, comments

I had a 1989 Falcon 190 on a Ford E350 chassis with a 460 ci engine that was fuel injected and I got about the same mileage as you do while doing 65-70 mph. It had a 4.56-1 rear end ratio and the engine was always revving while going down the highway. I think you need to do a few more trips to ascertain a true average mileage but you might be doing okay as far as gas mileage goes.

Our Chinook Concourse (dually, Triton V10) gets 10 mpg very consistently. If we hit 9 mpg, the next tank will probably be 11 mpg. I drive maybe 3-5 above speed limit on highway, very little running of the generator. Considering what these things weigh, that's not bad. I once had a 1976 Pontiac Catalina that only got 9-10 mpg.

alot of apples and oranges-

The vehicle referenced shows the inferior fuel mixing, spark timing and motor controls of the older vehicle.

could just need a tune up- plugs and wires, timing and dwell- carb adjustments and checks for vacuum leaks.
the catalytic convertor could be clogged- a more open exhaust can often help mpg but make for a droning ride.

mike

It seems a little low to me but not by much.

I have a 1989 Dodge B250 with a similar top. I did take the rooftop A/C off this past winter as I found it was really catching the wind badly in a storm but so far mpg is about the same as last year.

It'll get anywhere from 10 1/2 to 13 mpg in mixed driving as I use it quite regularly as a daily driver. I know the lowest was during the winter at as low as 7 mpg in January but can't count that as it's irrelevant to your driving.

So far this summer it's been getting 10 1/2 to 11 1/2 and though a lot of in town we are in a small village in a rural area so fairly long runs. I do fine that dropping the cruise from about 100 km/h (62 mph) to the 85 km/h (just about 50 mph) will make a 2 mpg difference. Tanks where I've done a lot of back roads and steady at the slower speed will return closer to 13 mpg although I only fill up about once a month so still getting a handle on this summer's mpg.

This may not help a lot but since it is real world driving and I keep track of mpg (U.S.) to the 100th of an mpg I thought I'd throw it on here.

Cheers.

The Dodge probably has a 360 in it not a 460. You may be able to redo the gearing in back. A 460 is an earlier version of a towing motor like a v10 .

He said he has a 5.8 (351) and the Dodge has the 318 so I'd think if anything the Ford would be a bit better since the Dodge is slightly underpowered. My Uncle has an '88 Ford with the 302 and although I think it's actually lighter than my Dodge I think it is worse for gas mileage. Thing is though, I've never done the numbers on his Ford.

Either way, I felt the Dodge was close enough in general to get a ballpark as it seems no one else has any numbers that closer reflect his unit.

Of course the higher speeds could also be a factor.

Cheers all!!

I think that he has a C3 trans. 1990 went to a 4OD which was the 4 speed overdrive. Also if it's a carb he's probably doing ok at those numbers. I've had an 88 and a 90 and the difference was dramatic with those factory upgrades. My 99 is much better yet.
john 'I am Canadian'

I think '90 might be fuel injected. I know the 302 was in '88 but also seem to recall Ford made a 4 bbl version of the 351 quite late so could be?

But good points and I guess I should add for comparison the 318 in the Dodge is fuel injected and has a 3 spd auto. (No idea which one, 904? 727?)

I drove an '87 Dodge Falcon and consistently got about 11 mpg. Usually drove 55 - 60 mph. Be sure to check your tires.
Ditto the earlier post - it the freedom of driving a B that gives the best reward!