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Old 11-01-2010, 12:48 AM   #1
rayfin
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Default Here's a good question

I'm building a 1983 chevy half ton 4x4 street pickup for better gas milage. My 1990 EFI shop truck is a gas hog. Weight is a big factor on this project and I am lightening it as much as possible. (Like a thousand pounds lighter) and a roll cage. I will be using it for light hauling for my auto upholstery shop. 4x4 needed in IOWA.

It now has a 350 4bbl edelbrock, turbo 350 and 2.73 gears with lockouts.

My question is if you were building a small block chevy for this truck keeping gas milage in mind what would you build? No diesel engines please.

I never built anything for gas milage before. Always built high horsepower bracket smallblocks. Maybe a 283 2BBL? 400 2bbl?

Last edited by rayfin; 11-09-2010 at 10:36 AM.
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Old 11-01-2010, 11:23 AM   #2
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Default Re: Here's a good question

Well,i'm not sure as far as a sbc,but have you ever considered a 4.3 v6? I had a 72 C-10 2wd 350/350,3.73 gears,and 27" tires (275-60-15),and swapped to a 30 over 4.3,marine hyd. roller,cast iron q-jet intake,milled out to accept an Edelbrock 600,home-built headers (very easy to do,use sbc truck headers),and a 2.71 or 2.73 12 bolt from a 69 Impala,and went from 15 mpg avg,to 20 or better.It was more labor than money,and the truck would still boogie pretty good around town.The biggest problem I had,was that the 4.3 sits so far back,there is no crossmember under the side motor mount bosses,so I fabbed vertical mounts off the front of the block like a 55-57 Bel-Air would have.Other than that,you need to extend your radiator hoses, p/s hoses,and fab up the headers,or find some v6 headers.If you have tall tires (30 inches+),the highway gear is gonna make it a real pig,but will certainly get good mileage.-Lew.
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Old 11-01-2010, 02:53 PM   #3
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Default Re: Here's a good question

Thank you for the info. That sounds interesting. It has possibilites. Anyone else? Any other ideas? I like to be different as this will be a business promotional vehicle. Tires are 10 x31 x15 not real big.

I also have some new parts but not sure which way to go.

Dual quad low riser with dual edelbrock carbs set up as progressive? (cool factor)
Dual quad low riser with dual quadrajet carbs set up as progressive? ( not possible I found out)
Torker 2 and a quadrajet or edelbrock carb? (found out torker has no bottom end torque)
What about a rochester 2 bbl and a quadrajet set up on a progessive setup?
What about a rochester 2 bbl on Torker2 intake?

I have all the parts. I want gas milage but it would be nice to have some power in reserve for passing power.

Last edited by rayfin; 11-15-2010 at 04:07 AM.
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Old 11-09-2010, 10:34 AM   #4
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Default Re: Here's a good question

Cmon guys...
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Old 11-14-2010, 11:38 AM   #5
Michael Kilduff
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Default Re: Here's a good question

Rayfin,

You may get better economy with a 305. 25 years ago GM went to that engine for emissions and economy-the school of thought, at least back then, was a longer stroke and smaller bore produced better economy. I don't know what the school of thought is today in regards to economy.

A quadrajet or spreadbore carb utilizing small primaries will probably be a more economical carb than would a 2 barrell. The 2 barrell will probably have bigger jets than will the primary side of a spreadbore carb set up for everyday driving/economy.

Also the bigger the tires the more economy will suffer.

Hope some of this helps!
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Old 11-15-2010, 04:05 AM   #6
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Default Re: Here's a good question

I appreciate that. Like I said I never worried about mileage before. I was wondering what mods I should do if any. I wonder if a beefed up 305 would get better mileage than a stock 350. I decided on a performer intake and either a quadrajet or edelbrock 600. I have both. I suppose small tube headers would help a lot. Compression would help. I wonder about valve and port size also...I guess I'll experiment. THANKS for the advice. I know this isn't the best place to ask but you guys know your stuff.

Found an aluminum water pump today for $40. This should be a fun project.

Last edited by rayfin; 06-25-2011 at 10:22 PM.
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Old 11-20-2010, 09:39 PM   #7
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Default Re: Here's a good question

Hey Rayfin,another thing,if you use an EGR valve,with the proper thermal vacuum switch (usually in the waterneck,usually broken/disconnected on most 'beaters),it will save you a little gas.The truck will run partially on unburnt exhaust gas during coast/decelleration.An Edelbrock Performer w/EGR would be good,or an old Edelbrock SP/2P (I mean OLD) w/EGR would be even better.If I think of anything else I'll post it.-Lew.
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Old 11-21-2010, 03:04 AM   #8
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Default Re: Here's a good question

"usually in the waterneck,usually broken/disconnected on most 'beaters"

I wondered what all that bull**** on the water neck was...cool.
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Old 11-21-2010, 10:30 PM   #9
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Default Re: Here's a good question

Quote:
Originally Posted by rayfin View Post
"usually in the waterneck,usually broken/disconnected on most 'beaters"

I wondered what all that bull**** on the water neck was...cool.

LMAO!!!
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Old 11-25-2010, 01:38 AM   #10
rayfin
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Default Re: Here's a good question

Can we move this thread to the "nobody gives a ****" section?

Last edited by rayfin; 11-25-2010 at 01:40 AM.
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