I finally got around to checking mu fuel mileage since I installed a thermostat. The previous owner had punched it out and when I checked it before it was getting about 15.5 mpg highway.

I just filled up and for 325 miles of mostly around town driving, I got 18.6 mpg.

My Chevy s-10 blazer with 4.3L EFI only gets 15 mpg on the highway!

The CTD is a LOT more fun to drive.

Edwin

 

I f I might ask, how cold was it running with the stat gutted? My truck barely makes it to the first line...and the heat stinks, Glad the increase in coolant temp gave you a few more mpg`s

 

The temp never made it up off the peg. If I were you I'd replace the thermostat. It sounds like yours is stuck open. Be sure to get the gasket which looks like a 1/2 inch piece of thick 2" rubber hose. You have to take off the belt and loosen the alternator to get at one of the bolts.

Edwin

 

I did a thermostat change on my truck and never needed to take the belt off , just pulled the top alt bolt , loosened the bottom one , and pulled it outta the way.

Unless a 1st gen is mush much different?

 

I have a serpentine belt and the alternator is in the way of one of the bolts. I had to let the alt. drop down to get the bolt out.

 

I just take the three bolts out of mine and pull it out. You gotta love them properly valved 2nd gen engines.

 

You mean those that have 2 extra valves/cylinder to adjust? How many bolts to get the valve covers off?

Edwin