Poor mpg

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Les Maples

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2020
Posts
24
Reaction score
28
Location
Oregon
First Name
Les
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350
A work in progress. 5.43 mpg with 3.08 350/700R4. Want better for milage, Any suggestions

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Les Maples

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2020
Posts
24
Reaction score
28
Location
Oregon
First Name
Les
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350
Hello, I just got this about 3 months ago and put a 350 in has a 700R4 with 3.08 gears. It was a total mess and now it's a daily driver. Love this truck.
 

gotyourgoat

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2014
Posts
2,117
Reaction score
3,418
Location
NRV Virginia
First Name
gotyourgoat
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
smokin' 305
Welcome!

Can you elaborate on things like your driving style, terrain, or engine mods. Hauling anything around?
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,920
Reaction score
25,240
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Thats rediculous! A 350 with 700R shouldnt be that bad! My 350 with th350 and 3.08 was making probly 10 mpg, swapped to 3.42 and still didnt see much change. If i had a 700R i bet id have even better mileage. Id be looking at other components...
 

Les Maples

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2020
Posts
24
Reaction score
28
Location
Oregon
First Name
Les
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350
I agree it's totally horrible. My driving habits are on flat land, no load. Stock 350, no aftermarket modifications I'm trying to stay as stock as possible . I drove it today a total of 23 miles an went threw a quarter tank. I'm bummed out about this.
 
Last edited:

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,920
Reaction score
25,240
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
I agree it's totally horrible. My driving habits are on flat land, no load. Stock 350, no aftermarket modifications I'm trying to stay as possible as I can. I drove it today a total of 23 miles an went threw a quarter tank. I'm bummed out about this.
That seems astronomicly wrong! Youve got some sort of issue im guessing
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
10,041
Reaction score
10,132
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
Yeah!

Like;
rear brake drag
differential fluid level
ignition timing
fuel filter
air filter
tune up parts
tire pressure
transmission fluid level
oil level / cleanliness
dirty motor oil will/can suck the life from your MPG.
concrete bumpers

at least you can look forward to doubling your mileage!

:waytogo:
 

Les Maples

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2020
Posts
24
Reaction score
28
Location
Oregon
First Name
Les
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350
Since I've started building it the list is this. New plugs, wires, distributor, and cap, fuel pump, and filter, new air breather, oil and filter. Timing is 10 degrees before tds. Plugs are gaped at 35. I'm thinking my carb is junk but it fires right up. Doesn't flood out. I'm discombobulated.
 

gotyourgoat

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2014
Posts
2,117
Reaction score
3,418
Location
NRV Virginia
First Name
gotyourgoat
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
smokin' 305
What carb? Stock quadrajet?
What was the 350 from originally?

If you let off the gas and the steering wheel how does it coast? Notice any brake drag or pulling to either side?
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
10,041
Reaction score
10,132
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
before / after , what difference does it make anyways!??

serious though.
If your ignition REALLY IS set at 10° before top dead center , that's your problem.

Reset timing to 10° AFTER top dead center, take two aspirin and call me in the morning..

Don't bother posting the fix without pix.

Hope this helps!
 
Last edited:

1985c20

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2019
Posts
143
Reaction score
187
Location
Torrington, CT
First Name
Chuck
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350
Just to be sure you’re calculating mpg by filling the tank driving x amount of miles then refilling the tank and issuing actual gallon consumed right? Some people just go by the gauge dropping a 1/4 tank without actually checking it out and it could be a bad gauge or something. Not trying to insult intelligence levels or anything just making sure
 

Les Maples

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2020
Posts
24
Reaction score
28
Location
Oregon
First Name
Les
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350
I have a stock q-jet when I coast the truck runs straight without hands. It does show a little more than my 2000 GMC K2500. But I was thinking that was due to the tires Cooper Discover SST which are at 35 psi. I had the local Chevy shop put new front hubs, bearings, calipers and hubs and new Mile Marker locks.
 

Octane

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2019
Posts
2,038
Reaction score
3,629
Location
Atlanta
First Name
Eddie
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Hello, I just got this about 3 months ago and put a 350 in has a 700R4 with 3.08 gears. It was a total mess and now it's a daily driver. Love this truck.
Maybe your gauge is incorrect.How was mileage calculated?
 

Les Maples

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2020
Posts
24
Reaction score
28
Location
Oregon
First Name
Les
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350
Yeah I filled the tank drove to work and back. Then went to the gas station. A filled the tank and it took almost 5 gallons. I drove 23 miles I have 2 16 gallon tanks .
 

Les Maples

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2020
Posts
24
Reaction score
28
Location
Oregon
First Name
Les
Truck Year
1982
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
350
I think I'm going to put a new q-jet and go back to the stock rally wheels and 235/75/15 tires and see what happens. The 350 was originally in a delivery van. I only used the valve covers everything thing else came from the truck or I put new parts like the flex plate. The truck had a 383 in it before I put the 350 in. I would have loved to kept that in but unfortunately #5 piston came apart. And both heads were cracked. The pic is of the 350 going in

You must be registered for see images attach
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
44,057
Posts
948,515
Members
36,124
Latest member
dabsRus420
Top