Hi all. I have a 89 f150 4x4 with the 302 and gas mileage is poor. Getting around 11-12 mpg . Any ideas on how to improve my gas mileage?

Thanks.

 

Welcome ! That sounds typical for that engine in a heavy 4X4 configuration. A few mods like electric fans, etc. will help mpg marginally, but will not generally offset the cost for a long time. IMO, keeping the tune and maintenance in top condition is your best bet.

 

How about something like a k&n air filter? Would that affect my mileage at all? Was also wondering what the difference is between just the filter and a cold air intake system?

 

My 90 302 with a K&N air filter and dual exhaust gets about 12-13, maybe 14 on a real good day with conserative driving, so you're about right as far as mileage goes. These truck were never really set up to get good mileage, so don't expect mods to give you a drastic improvement.

 

The K&N filter material allows increased airflow which increases power. They are wonderful products that I highly recommend for performance, but not increased mpg. Any mpg increase would be negligible. The drop-in filter will just increase air flow over the restrictive, traditional paper filter. The complete air intake kits have pre-engineered/larger/smoother components that increase airflow as well as a larger filtering area.

 

My 88 4x4 302 did 12 mpg city, highway, mountains, climbing trees, in 4x4, WOT or grampa style... etc. etc. didn't seem to matter what I did. The only time it did better was on a trip to SC where believe it or not it did 20 mpg from Whytheville VA, into Greenville, SC (all down hill of course. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

dang! you guys are all lucky! i dont know why you are complaining. my 302 only gets 6 mpg and thats when i'm on the highway. what can i do to make it better on gas?

 

C'mon PiperC...does your fuel tank have some holes in it?
Even my 1968 F-100 with a 4 barrel carb. and 390 got 8-9 MPG.

FYI My 94 302 4x4 was getting about 13 around town and 15 on the road...and I changed the plugs and wires annually along with the fuel filter. I don't think I could have asked for much more out of that truck in terms of fuel economy.

 

no, but it runs pretty bad. i'll have to fix it sometime

 

The notorious 302 ???? I've had several 302's in pick-ups over the years and everyone was different in power and mileage. One got 19/20 mpg consistantly in a '79 Lariat. Had an '85 Lariat that got 12/13 with less power. ??? I never understood it!

 

This is what happens when you put an okay car motor in a pickup then you slap all the emmissions crap on it. My 302 in my 88 didn't really start making power until 4K rpm. Saddly I am seeing the same trend with my 4.6 but at least if the power is gonna be down a little I get a little mileage in return. I miss my 5.3 GMC when gettng up those on-ramps in tight spaces.