I have a 66 El Camino that I commute 150-200 miles a day with, 90% freeway. The 283/TH350 has gotten so tired it uses 3 qts of oil a day. Last time I checked, I was getting 20 MPG. (18 if you count the oil :mwink: )
I wish to embark on a plan to improve gas mileage by 5-10 MPG.
Power was adequate for my needs, with a surprising top-end rush. I have no idea what cam it has, but it pulled nicely up to 6000, which was where I chickened out. The car is fairly new to me, and shows plenty evidence of Mickey-Mousing.
I am presently dropping in a 350/200R4 for now, but I'd like to return the 283 one day after it gets freshened up. Here is my general plan.
* full rebuild using anti-friction coated pistons (perhaps with heat barrier coat on top) floating pins, and low-drag (thinner) rings.
* compression ratio around 9 or 9.5:1
* some good heads. I am hoping for some good suggestions on what a "good" head is for a 283 where mileage is the first concern. I was thinking "Vortec", but I don't know if the TPI can work with them. The present heads have a flat bar with a triangle sticking up on the front. 3884520
* a late-80s TPI manifold. Now, here is where it gets a little fuzzy... I know that loop-controlled EFI operates at about 14.7/1 air/fuel ratio, yet max mileage occurs at about 17/1. So, I need some of you bright minds to help me figure out how to do that. Lean at freeway cruise, normal at higher throttle settings or higher RPMs. I have thought about a wide-band O2 sensor, but I have no idea how that would be made to work.
* A Ford EEC4 computer, because it easily adapts to older cars, and offers sequential fire instead of batch like the Chevy. More adaptation, and more suggestions requested....
* cam: open to suggestions. also, would roller cam bearings or roller lifters be worth it?
What I have now:
* MSD6 ignition
* headers, large pipes with flowmasters
* 200R4 lockup, 3.08 gears. later will be a T56
* serpentine belt, thermostatic clutch fan
* Q-jet, my favorite carb
* present gearing will have me spending most of my time at 1800-2000. After the T-56 goes in, that will drop to 1400-1500.
OK Wise Men... I am ready for your judgement....
I wish to embark on a plan to improve gas mileage by 5-10 MPG.
Power was adequate for my needs, with a surprising top-end rush. I have no idea what cam it has, but it pulled nicely up to 6000, which was where I chickened out. The car is fairly new to me, and shows plenty evidence of Mickey-Mousing.
I am presently dropping in a 350/200R4 for now, but I'd like to return the 283 one day after it gets freshened up. Here is my general plan.
* full rebuild using anti-friction coated pistons (perhaps with heat barrier coat on top) floating pins, and low-drag (thinner) rings.
* compression ratio around 9 or 9.5:1
* some good heads. I am hoping for some good suggestions on what a "good" head is for a 283 where mileage is the first concern. I was thinking "Vortec", but I don't know if the TPI can work with them. The present heads have a flat bar with a triangle sticking up on the front. 3884520
* a late-80s TPI manifold. Now, here is where it gets a little fuzzy... I know that loop-controlled EFI operates at about 14.7/1 air/fuel ratio, yet max mileage occurs at about 17/1. So, I need some of you bright minds to help me figure out how to do that. Lean at freeway cruise, normal at higher throttle settings or higher RPMs. I have thought about a wide-band O2 sensor, but I have no idea how that would be made to work.
* A Ford EEC4 computer, because it easily adapts to older cars, and offers sequential fire instead of batch like the Chevy. More adaptation, and more suggestions requested....
* cam: open to suggestions. also, would roller cam bearings or roller lifters be worth it?
What I have now:
* MSD6 ignition
* headers, large pipes with flowmasters
* 200R4 lockup, 3.08 gears. later will be a T56
* serpentine belt, thermostatic clutch fan
* Q-jet, my favorite carb
* present gearing will have me spending most of my time at 1800-2000. After the T-56 goes in, that will drop to 1400-1500.
OK Wise Men... I am ready for your judgement....