dcp3

I have a 1986 F250, 4x4, automatic, 460, carrying an overhead camper. Approximately 76,000 miles. I get maybe 4mpg in a head wind, and with a good tail wind maybe up to 6 mpg. Any suggestions for an "easy" fix to get a few more mpg?

A couple of years ago the distributer and ignition module was replaced. At that time I thought the truck did not run at all like it had previously. Not responsive to the throttle. It seemed to take forever to reach highway speed. I took it back 2 or 3 times, but it has never seemed to run as well.

Thanks for any suggestions.

dcp3

Brian Stone

Sounds to me like the timing is too retarded. When the distributor was replaced, they most likely put it back to the stock timing spec. It could easily have been advanced at some point in the past to give more power/better fuel mileage, so with it set back to stock specs, you will lose the power/better fuel mileage. I would get a timing light and first check it against the spec. Once you have it set to spec, advance it 2 deg. and drive it. If you don't have spark knock problems, advance it 2 more deg. Do this until you start getting spark knock problems, then back off 2 deg. and leave it set there.

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1970 LTD 2dr. HT 429 4bbl
1988 F-150 4x4 short bed 5-speed
1989 F-350 4x4 regular cab SRW with 7.5 and 5-speed