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 Post subject: MPG
PostPosted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 6:18 pm 
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Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:59 pm
Posts: 23
So today I figured Im getting 24.32mpg in my 80' 2wd luv. Is this about right? I drove it 77 miles mainly on the highway at about 60-65 mph. What do i need to do to get better gas mileage? I already did a basic tune-up but still need to check timing and valve clearances.
thanks, steve


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 Post subject: Re: MPG
PostPosted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 9:08 pm 
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da LUV masta

Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2009 6:32 am
Posts: 548
It is a truck, geared low and boxy. That is about all I could get out of my 77 when it was new.


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 Post subject: Re: MPG
PostPosted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:51 pm 
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lives at LUVTruck.com

Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 12:11 am
Posts: 335
I agree with the Labman, you are getting better than most of us already! You could spend a lot of money and not get any better so be careful, your truck has 4:11 gears (I think) but changing to higher ones probably won't help you so don't spend the money trying this. Use common sense techniques, higher tirer pressure, synthetic oil in the engine, transmission and rear end, an electric cooling fan, a good clean wash and wax job, dropping the tailgate when on freeways, all these will help, but I don't think you are going to improve much.
Keep in touch, like to hear how you are doing.

BTW I drive a 81 Luv, formerly diesel powered) but now with a FI sbc, a 700R4 auto overdrive, 3:42 gears and I barely top what you are getting! Before I sold the diesel I didn't get what you are now doing!! Some guys say they are getting better than 30 mpg with their diesels, but I was never able to get anywhere close to that with mine, my old diesel engine is pumping water up in Idaho right now.
dusty


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 Post subject: Re: MPG
PostPosted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 11:33 pm 
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Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:59 pm
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Thank you guys for all your input!!! I'll definitely put another post up in about a week or so when i fill up again. After I calculated my mileage I noticed a vacuum hose that was disconnected and finally found out that it was to the EGR valve which was hidden under the intake manifold (hard to find if you dont know what you are looking for). Also, the fuel breather hose that makes the nozzle shut off when the tank is full was also disconnected so i fixed em. I don't know if the EGR valve has anything to do with getting better gas mileage but we will see what happens. I also try not to push 70 mph when on the freeway (people are constantly passing me starring LOL).


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 Post subject: Re: MPG
PostPosted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:40 am 
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Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 12:58 am
Posts: 158
i averaged 32mpg out of my last 2 fill ups... im driving almost 60 miles a day for work (all but 6 blocks are interstate) and here in Washington we don't have a set legal minimum speed limit.. (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.4250

so i keep it max 15 mph under the speed limit (55 in a 70 and 50 in the 60) as much as i can... im never in a hurry...

just remember your vehicle is going to operate most efficiently below 2k rpm (40mph-60mph) this is a solid factor with most any vehicle because 40mph is the point in which hp is needed to over come wind resistance... i proved this theory with a 95 240sx running sr20dett pushing 500bhp with 38mpg... full 12 gallon fuel cell from spokane to seattle.. i averaged 9mpg on the way back @ an average of 75mph+ (i had to stop for fuel more often thus the trip took about the same amount of time)
(Jeromy Clarkson on top gear proved this with a 500hp tt diesel jaguar averaging 50mpg)

other methods of improving gas millage are

RULE #1
smooth acceleration and breaking keeping the rpm's as low as possible and avoiding in town driving (stop and go)...

Also some engine tuning would do you good... porting and polishing, replacing your stock air intake assembly with a more open setup, a freer flowing exhaust... as well running higher octane fuel... hotter ignition, larger spark plug gap, blue printing... don't need higher compression or bigger pistons though
and finish it off with a subtle cam grind

the theory with this is that your engine is a pump the smoother you can get air in to and out of your engine the better it will perform higher octane fuel will require less fuel to maintain the same rpm as well a hotter spark across a longer gap will yield better combustion... now as to if the savings of $0.30-$0.50/gallon more is worth it the gf's 97 audi a4 2.8l quattro gets about another 30 miles per tank on premium then it does off of regular 87

oh you say thats exactly the same as building higher hp yep refer to RULE #1

but thats just my thoughts on the matter


http://fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml

with said link i disagree with using cruise control a steady foot and consistant pressure easing up on the gas while taking a hill (up or down) will save gas as with cruise it will want to accelerate up the hill as well as use compression to slow the vehicle down the other side



as well you have to remember these vehicles were built around the time when the speed limits were 55mph maxish

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 Post subject: Re: MPG
PostPosted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 7:00 pm 
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Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:59 pm
Posts: 23
I also live in washington. Tri cities


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 Post subject: Re: MPG
PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:48 am 
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da LUV masta
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Posts: 460
Location: MP 48~ on OR US 30
i figure when the roads 100% flat you should be able to go 45 at the min.
for grades that's out the window, its what ever is safe for the auto.



in the states that have a posted min speed, its all ways 40 or 45 that ive seen.
and in small print at the bottom it says only required when weather permits, or some thing like that.

OK Colorado has one going out of the city on a long 6% grade on I-70 that's 55 mph min, but it states that it is "only" for the fast lane

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 Post subject: Re: MPG
PostPosted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 8:29 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 1:21 am
Posts: 138
Location: Washington State
Figured I'd pipe up a little late in this thread, but meh. at least I'm not starting a new topic for the same thing...
I'm avg. 24mpg with a bunch of in town driving, I estimate on the freeway going 65+ I'm getting 28-30mpg. Back when I drove 55 everywhere I got 32mpg. Thats on a 77 4speed regular gas luv. :D
Whats everybody else getting right now?

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 Post subject: Re: MPG
PostPosted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 10:32 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:47 pm
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Location: Vancouver, Washington
i havent added up my mileage but i have noticed i get much beter mileage if im cruising at 55 (3k rpm) than i do going 65. as soon as i fix my current issue with the luv dying on me i will get mine averaged out

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2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
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 Post subject: Re: MPG
PostPosted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 7:01 am 
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Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 11:48 pm
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Location: Whittier, (So). Cal.
For the record, dropping the tail gate for highway travel actually worsens your aerodynamics. Mythbusters proved it in an air tunnel.

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 Post subject: Re: MPG
PostPosted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 12:55 pm 
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Location: Vancouver, Washington
rondog wrote:
For the record, dropping the tail gate for highway travel actually worsens your aerodynamics. Mythbusters proved it in an air tunnel.

now i need to find that episode 8O i had always heard the opposite, even had someone tell me to take the tailgate off for long trips :roll:

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2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride


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 Post subject: Re: MPG
PostPosted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 3:28 pm 
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Location: Whittier, (So). Cal.
They showed with the gate down, the wind flows off the roof and out the back, but it creates a vacuum at the front of bed/back window.

With the gate up, the wind flows off the roof, hits the gate , comes back forward at the bottom of the bed and upward at the window and mixes with the wind off the roof. This makes it like an invisible shell/topper so the wind flows off the roof and flows away without the rear window vacuum. Did I make sense?

If you have ever noticed a rag or empty can or whatever in the bed at the rear, moves to the front and bobbles around, and if light enough, will fly up the back window to roof level and shoot out the back.

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