Gas guzzling alternatives

[argonaut]

I don't see why a fuel injection system would be bothered by ethanol any more than a carb.

[patrickk1]

ALL gas from the pump has some amount of ethanol in it. It usually varies by delivery but can be up to 10%. Some brands are consistently on the higher end of that spectrum than others. I know I get better mpg with some brands than others.

[Monte's62]

You can still get 100% gas in Alabama and some places in Georgia.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by Monte's62

You can still get 100% gas in Alabama and some places in Georgia.

Same here on the Mississippi coast. There are 2 or 3 stations that sell nothing but ethanol-free gas (including premium) withing 2 miles of the house. That is pretty much all I run in all my vehicles when I am in town. I know of about 6 or 7 other stations within the coastal area.

[Figuarus]

Ok, So I have a question.

Since I have a 283, and it roughly equates to a 4.8L.

What's to stop me from running an EFI 4.3L out of an S10? Will a TH400 or a 700R4 still bolt onto that engine block?

I've got a good mind to purchase a 4.3 Vortec engine, since I figure their power output would be right around what I have in the truck now...

[Captainfab]

A 4.3 V6 is simply a 350 minus 2 cylinders.....same bore and stroke. The bellhousing bolt pattern and shape is the same as all GEN I & II small blocks and MK IV, V & VI Big blocks.

Installing a 4.3 in the '60-'66 trucks has been discussed before but I do not know if anyone has followed thru with it.

[patrickk1]

I wouldn't bother with the 4.3. The 4.8l gen3 v8 gets only 1mpg less but has 100hp more. I find the 4.8l around me for $300-500 on a regular basis.

[Figuarus]

Well, I have access to a used 4.3 in ok shape for about 100 bucks. I wouldn't mind going a bit larger...and for 100 more horses...

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by patrickk1

I wouldn't bother with the 4.3. The 4.8l gen3 v8 gets only 1mpg less but has 100hp more. I find the 4.8l around me for $300-500 on a regular basis.

.
Another thing I'm putting in my comparison shopping is how many more miles life can you get out of a generation 3 over a Generation 1?

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

.
Another thing I'm putting in my comparison shopping is how many more miles life can you get out of a generation 3 over a Generation 1?

the 4.3 in my experience is an easy 300-350K motor.

As mentioned though, any hot rodding will be more expensive and you'll have more bang for the buck with a V8. however, if you have the 4.3 and want a decent cruiser it will fot the job pretty well. They even sound good with the right exhaust, but CID is way more fun.

[argonaut]

I wouldn't swap anything smaller than a 5.3l into a pickup. They can get 20+ mpg.

[Blessed66]

Originally Posted by argonaut

I wouldn't swap anything smaller than a 5.3l into a pickup. They can get 20+ mpg.

I'd love to do a 4.3L Turbo in one of these old trucks, but that's a "one day when I'm rich" idea, not a practial one.

[argonaut]

I had an early 4.3l vortec in a 98 GMC shortbed. Gas mileage was decent but not much torque. Still a good little motor. I'm sure the later model versions are better still.

[Palf70Step]

I have a 4.3 in my 02 and it will run all day at 80+, it can pull a house with the low end....but lord do not ask it to accelerate quickly. The 4.8 in my 07 seems to have a bit more guts and a hair better gas mileage than the 4.3...not enough to worry about, like 1/2 to 1 MPG difference. Both are in SWB regular cab W/Ts.

[Blessed66]

There is no replacement for displacement - it's an old saying for a good reason. Apples to apples, a bigger engine is going to be able to do more than a smaller engine.

Also, on a totally unrelated note...



Merry Christmas to me.

[BOE]

I understand that engines and bell housings bolt up but what about straight six to a v-8 when in comes to exhaust, linkage, all the other difference? do you have to cut the frame? i guess my question is cost. should i alter my straight 6 or would finding a truck with v-8 be the way? I have spent some time and money and have my truck pretty sound mechanicly but don't want to chop the frame up just to make v-8 work

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by BOE

I understand that engines and bell housings bolt up but what about straight six to a v-8 when in comes to exhaust, linkage, all the other difference? do you have to cut the frame? i guess my question is cost. should i alter my straight 6 or would finding a truck with v-8 be the way? I have spent some time and money and have my truck pretty sound mechanicly but don't want to chop the frame up just to make v-8 work

V8 bolts right in. You will need a new zbar clutch linkage as the 6 and 8 are different. Exhaust of course is different and as long as you bolt the V8 into the position where it mates to the 6 bellhousing in its stock location, you won't even need a new driveshaft. Probably need a new radiator and maybe a fan shroud. But no frame hacking

[joedoh]

I put an injected 4.3 (later real injector spider) in my 47 and one is going in my 49. it had more than enough power to spin the tires all day long.

[T Herder]

HERE'S MY MILEAGE INFO FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH!
I completely rebuilt my 1965 305E with some major improvements. I'm running a Mallory Maglite distributor, 1988 GM Throttle Body Injection, SM420 with a married Gear Vendors OD, divorced NP 205 transfer case, 4.56 final drive gears, BFG All Terrain 35's, plus a few other things.
I LOVE IT!!! After twenty years I still have not had to touch the timing or distributor, TBI, or controls.
I work this truck hard, sometimes very hard. I regularly tow a custom Sundowner 4 horse trailer with a GCVW of 18,000 lb. Log book verification shows the best mileage empty has been 18.61 MPG, worst, 7.2 MPG has been with a max load and pulling 21% grades in 4WD.
Average towing mileage runs 12.5-14 MPG, non-towing with a light load has been 14.8-16.4. I always vote for fuel injection, no muss or fuss. Fires up at sea level or 10K feet altitude on the first turn of the key.
Best regards,
T Herder

[Figuarus]

Joedoh,

That's a BEAUTIFUL setup you have there. I've always loved the look of those generation trucks...

[LostMy65]

Using that gov calculator, just 5 mpg can be quite a savings.

[LostMy65]

So if you borrowed $5000 at 10% interest, and that $5000 saves you $5000 in gas in 5 years, you'll break even in 6 years and only have 60,000 on the motor and tranny.

[LostMy65]

Anyone see anything wrong with my calculations?

[goatless]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Anyone see anything wrong with my calculations?

I don't know. It cost $6,373.80 over 5 years to save that $5000 in gas?

[LostMy65]

Yes, but in 6 years you're real close to breaking even.
Or, another way to figure it is:
It costs you about $100 a month on the loan to save $100 a month in gas.