Well I just filled up for the first time since getting the truck (for checking mileage anyway). "Low fuel" light went on so I wanted to fill her so I had some idea of how much fuel I had left. She took 23.9 gal so I basically have 6 gallons left when the fuel light comes on. I have been driving in the city for this entire tank but I would have thought my mileage would have been better. I put 276 miles on her before filling up today. That puts me at basically 11.5 miles per gallon with an empty, non tow vehicle. Maybe part of the Banks setup has the fuel screw turned in a lot. Any ideas gurus?

David

 

new truck heavy foot syndrome

 

just made a 1000 mile trip, utah, idaho, montana,wyoming. high elevation, up to 10950 ft. got 20.5 mpg ave. drove 412 miles from red lodge mt to ut home on 18 gallons. fuel pin ratated to shallow side. dynoed at 331 rwhp with this set-up. timed at 1.65 mm advance. i run some pretty big stix.

 

That's pretty lousy. Back the star wheel and smoke screw settings off as much as you can without losing response. Bump the timing. Make sure the tires are fully inflated and that the air filter is clean.

Also make sure the odometer is accurate.

 

thats funny, i have had mine for a few weeks now, im getting no beter than 13 mpg.. thanks for the advice..

 

Is your speedometer off AT ALL ? read fast or slow ?

If the speedo is fast or slow, it will affect the odo/trip also,

Get a GPS and compare that speed to your trucks speedo, A gps is as accurate as it gets, Its satelite

i had this idea in my head that maybe the BD torque converter, because its so tight is causing the engine to bog (too much load on it) around town or something, but idk .

 

Remember I couldn't take the star wheel down but 4 clicks. Dave (Wanna) said that most likely when they put the Banks kit on they diddled wit hall that stuff including my fuel pin that was already turned. The thing is tht when I tried to back the staar wheel off it seemd stuck too. I'm afraid to damage the star wheel. So as far as I know the wheel could be bottomed out, fuel pin turned, fuel screw cranked way down etc. etc. Dad was pretty conscious of fuel consumption but he could have been more into pulling power vs gas mileage. Thus the torque converter and turbo housing change.

Air filter and fuel filter are new. This is an auto so it's hard to lead foot the thing. Just get it up to speed and that's it. I have been driving with the OD off to keep the RPM's a little higher.

When I was in the pump I also took the smoke screw down 1.5 turns. The next morning however I went to the store and she wouldn't start. I turned it over in short key turns and it finally started. Came home and backed the screw out. Wouldn't start right away but did the second time. Since then has started every time. To me the "gasser" head it was almost like it was flooded. The smoke screw could be down quite aways too. I can tell you one thing, she hardly ever smokes.

Watched the "timing" video, seems like quite the project. Got a Denny pin on the way so when I install that I will see if I can back off the star wheel without damaging the teeth. Drive it a bit and then back off the smoke screw and take it from there.

Thanks guys.

PS. Here's a thought for someone with time. Back when I was restoring VW's I was on a forum similar to this (but I was way more helpful). One of the guys that was knowledgeable like a few of y'all are on here would give a date when he would start across country. He would go from place to place having pre arranged meetings with people on the forum working on their cars, meeting them and their families and making money along the way. Almost every stop was money in the pocket. He would arrange the trip according to the pre arranged meetings. People would track him on his travels and be waiting for him with parts in hand ready to go to pay for his time and knowledge. Most of the time he would stay with them overnight and then be on his way. Kinda cool!

 

Oh Brandonn,

On the way home with the truck from Dad's house I had my wife run next to me with the Suburban at 70mph and both Speedometers read exactly 70 at the same time. I don't think it is too far off.

David

 

Don't look here for poor mileage. I lock out OD full time below 50 mph. I tested with and without this driving style several yrs ago and... never cost me any mileage.
I average 16 mpg (also an auto) when full time non hwy... and I live in a rural area. Serious big city in town would be a lot worse!

Nice truck!

RJ

 

The hard starting makes me think you have an air leak in the low pressure side of the fuel system. Check for dampness above the fuel filter.

I'm too much of a homebody for a nationwide tour. Neat idea though.

 

When i get my license and i'm a hyped up teenager who just got his license, i'll drive all over to help people. lol

 

I don't think your mileage is too far off. My 92 with the 518 slush box and a GV od unit with 4:10s is not very good. 13.87 mpg max. This is city/hiway mix. I've adj. the fuel screw in/out ect, adj the star wheel up/down, put the factory fuel pin in and adj it all directions. The best mileage is just the way it's set now with the DennyT pin in-star wheel down-fuel screw to runaway and timed to the head. Get rid of the slush box and get somewhere around 20 or better fuel mileage. The torque convertors and the slip-o-matics eat up fuel with no returns on the investment. My cousin has a 96 with 4:10s and turned up hotttt with a 5sp 21mpg on the hiway. Good luck on your mileage.

 

My truck is set up similar to yours minus the BD torque converter. My fuel pin is turned, fuel screw in, throttle linkage on inside hole, etc. and I get within 1 mpg either side of 20, mixed city and highway, towing a landscape trailer about 1/4 of the time.

 

man i get like 15 -16 with mine and i have 4.56 gears a 3 speed and 37's

 

(sounding like Charlie Brown) AAAArrrrrggghhh! It doesn't hard start. It starts like "immediatly" when I turn the key. I'll just start turning things back.

Thank you diesel brothers!