Not sure what to do

[70CHEVYBB]

So I finished my 70 lwb restoration. I really thought I wanted a big block hot rod truck. Well I find my self mad everytime I have to gas up. Its fast but I am not really enjoying it. I thought of selling it for something different or may be buying a crate 350 and putiing a performer intake and carb on. not sure what to do? the big block sure looks sweet under the hood.

[Tom Vogel]

Uh... yea. You might consider a Gear Vendors overdrive. Or/and fuel injection, or sell it.

[In The Ten Ring]

Just curious, what size engine?

[slow-1]

Nice looking truck.

I suggest a 2nd job to make more gas $$$$.

[leddzepp]

The money you spend changing everything around will negate any savings at the pump.

[LockDoc]

-
. with Scott. A $1600 crate 350 = Approx. 457 gal gas, and a $2250 Gear Vendors OD = Approx. 642 gal gas, plus all the work to make the switch. Now I don't know how much you drive the truck, but that's quite a bit of driving. I know you can recoup some of the money if you can sell the BB but it may be hard to sell it quick unless you want to take a big loss on it...

Just my 2¢ worth.

LockDoc

[RenoKeene]

What kind of mileage are you getting? 10-12? I doubt you will get more than 18-20 with a new SB crate and fancy elec trans. My 97 Z28 (LT1/auto/posi) gets 18-20 on a good day. What rear gear are you running?
Your truck looks great but if your not happy sell it.

[bbcmudtruck]

BBC's are for power, not for gas mileage! You built a really nice truck, what size of motor are you running? Specs on motor?

[cdowns]

get a geo

[terry b]

Enjoy it you only live once. I too have a bb with a turbo 400 3/4 ton. I have too much fun with it. I figger i might as well burn up the gas other people are saving.

[1968k10blue]

Originally Posted by terry b

Enjoy it you only live once. I too have a bb with a turbo 400 3/4 ton. I have too much fun with it. I figger i might as well burn up the gas other people are saving.

I think the same way, I may be young but I doubt the world will run out of gas before I die, and they will come up with something new to run by then

[gvw5400]

Nice truck! I agree with the others, you will not save money changing out components
that you already own. Fuel injection is NOT the magic bullet that some make it out to be.
Drivability when cold is it's main plus. OEMs use it mostly for emissions and cost on a mass build scale. Overdrive can be a plus , but here again the break even point is high.
It costs fuel to feed 400+ cubes.
All the best, Dirk

[Tinkermc]

I mean to harm to anyone but I disagree. If you make the switch there is a point where you start saving and from then on, every fill-up you will save. How long do you plan on enjoying this truck? How many Arabs do you want to support for how long?

[70CHEVYBB]

1975 454 bored .060, forged crank, eagle forged 7/16 rods, speed pro pistons, 10to1, edelbrock timing chain, com cams big muther thumper cam w/ matching valve train, manley stainless valves, 2.06 in, 1.88 exh with hard seats, fullroller rockers, performer rpm intake, 750 holley, Mallory ignition. I have a 3400 stall that is coming out for a 2000 stall, 3.08 gear. I have a 30 mile round trip drive to work and suck up 3/8th of a tank with a little hot rodding involved. 5 to 6 mpg is a good average.

[Spartan]

I would suggest finding a cheap honda or as CDOWNS suggests a geo. For commuting a little econobox will triple or quadruple your MPGs. I bought my wife a Honda Fit. It gets 45+ mpg, less smog...and since its not a hybrid it doesn't produce any SMUG!

A big block is a sweet power plant but by no means a commuter in todays market but that's why you posted isn't it?!?

I feel ya tho. I used to commute 110 miles round trip in my CJ5 with the 304. Half a tank easy. Super fun but totally impractical. now it's a restored rock hound.

As far as others commenting on oil being around for awhile... if it was plentiful they wouldn't be screwing us with ethanol blends. "Peak Oil" is happening... if it wasn't so scarce the gulf wouldn't be dying a slow death and we wouldn't be taking control of all those middle east oil fields.

IMHO

[1968k10blue]

Originally Posted by Spartan

As far as others commenting on oil being around for awhile... if it was plentiful they wouldn't be screwing us with ethanol blends. "Peak Oil" is happening... if it wasn't so scarce the gulf wouldn't be dying a slow death and we wouldn't be taking control of all those middle east oil fields.

IMHO

oh yeah, I know that, but when they say oil is running out they mean maybe another 75-100 years, but with all the 45 mpg cars coming out now, that will easily extend to 100-125 years left. also, I would rather die a early death than not be able to drive my truck! <---- thats probably what you all think of me

[specialtyretail]

I took the well built big block out of my Cheap Bastard and replaced it with a super mild small block. I hated the change from the first drive after the engine swap until the time the new owner loaded it on his trailer a VERY short time later. I felt I had ruined, shall I say, neutered, the truck. Just my thoughts. Thanks, Fred.

[Fldawg]

Let the big dog eat, if it's not your daily driver, enjoy it. mine only get 8 mpg, 10 on a good day, even with the 283 in it before i changed it out it only got 12-14 mpg

[Longhorn 70]

DO NOT pull the big block out. I repeat DO NOT. I had a mildly built Big Block Olds in my 70. It got OK mileage, 15 in town and 17 on the road with a 700R4 behind it. I toasted the Olds motor and thought I'd just switch back to small block Chevy. I get around the same fuel economy MAYBE 16 in town and 17 on the road. I must admit I drive like a wuss in it. I do however really miss the BB Olds when some young whelp in his papa's Hemi truck pulls up next to me. I miss the grunt. I am slowly getting the Olds back together.

There is no replacement for displacement.

[1968k10blue]

Originally Posted by Longhorn 70

DO NOT pull the big block out. I repeat DO NOT. I had a mildly built Big Block Olds in my 70. It got OK mileage, 15 in town and 17 on the road with a 700R4 behind it. I toasted the Olds motor and thought I'd just switch back to small block Chevy. I get around the same fuel economy MAYBE 16 in town and 17 on the road. I must admit I drive like a wuss in it. I do however really miss the BB Olds when some young whelp in his papa's Hemi truck pulls up next to me. I miss the grunt. I am slowly getting the Olds back together.

There is no replacement for displacement.

Just out of curiosity, what model Olds? My dad is restoring a 70 442

[Sillyoldman]

Buy a Honda & save the BB!

[WIDESIDE72]

That highe stall converter isnt helping any! Have you tuned the carb and timing any? that mileage seems low even for a 454. If not and you are not knowledgeable of tuning for mileage, seek out some local shops or someone local from the board to help you. You could swap the 750 Holley for something a little smaller and swap that thumpr cam for more of a torque rv cam. This well help mileage some, still have more power than a sbc and be cheaper/easier than an engine.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

Uh... yea. You might consider a Gear Vendors overdrive. Or/and fuel injection, or sell it.

He already has 3.08 gears. he doesnt say if he drives city or highway to work if city od wont help and going od would make it hint too much on the highway imo. As mentioned above efi wont necessarily beat a carb meage if properly tuned

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

What kind of mileage are you getting? 10-12? I doubt you will get more than 18-20 with a new SB crate and fancy elec trans. My 97 Z28 (LT1/auto/posi) gets 18-20 on a good day. What rear gear are you running?
Your truck looks great but if your not happy sell it.

From my experience even a sbc 350 will only return 12-15 if you are lucky! I have had everything from 250 6 cyls to 454's in these trucks and they are just too much weight and non aerodynamic to get much better. An LS type engine might do a little better. One day that will be my next adventure!

[Dean'smeanmachine]

Originally Posted by Spartan

I would suggest finding a cheap honda or as CDOWNS suggests a geo. For commuting a little econobox will triple or quadruple your MPGs. I bought my wife a Honda Fit. It gets 45+ mpg, less smog...and since its not a hybrid it doesn't produce any SMUG!

A big block is a sweet power plant but by no means a commuter in todays market but that's why you posted isn't it?!?

I feel ya tho. I used to commute 110 miles round trip in my CJ5 with the 304. Half a tank easy. Super fun but totally impractical. now it's a restored rock hound.

As far as others commenting on oil being around for awhile... if it was plentiful they wouldn't be screwing us with ethanol blends. "Peak Oil" is happening... if it wasn't so scarce the gulf wouldn't be dying a slow death and we wouldn't be taking control of all those middle east oil fields.

IMHO

i disagree. i say buy a chevy vega ford pinto or a vw beete. that way youd be saving money and driving a classic.