Our Community is 940,000 Strong. Join Us.


F-250 Sucks Gas


andy2005
12-31-2004, 07:42 PM
I have a two wheel drive 1992 F-250 with a 351M and a four speed auto transmission. The truck runs and drives great for the most part, but consistently gets 9-10 miles a gallon. When i bought the truck, i new it wasn't going to get great gas millage, but 9 MPG! The guy i bought it from assured me it got 16-17 miles on the highway when it was new. I replacesd the 02 sensor and air filter, but neither made any differance. Any suggestions so I could get maybe even 11 or 12 MPG?

Torqued
01-01-2005, 08:33 AM
I have an 88 4X4 F-250 with a C-6 tranny and a 351W and get better than that (but not much). I get 10.5 around town and 13 on the highway. I did notice one thing, as soon as I drive over 60MPH the gauge drops like a rock. Seems the RPM has a lot to do with efficiency. Taking it real easy on acceleration brought my mileage up from 9.5 to 10.5. Doesn't seem like much until you fill both tanks.
One thing to look into is a plugged up exhaust system, muffler or cat. I'm getting what I expect from my truck, but I would think your 2WD should do far better, unless you have an axle ratio of 3.55 or so like I do.

ModMech
01-01-2005, 05:44 PM
You do not have a 351M, nothing after about '82 had them, you have a 351W (5.8L), which is basically a big 302 (5.0L).

They do suck gas, but 9 MPG is very low, you should see 14/15 on the highway, and around 10 in city driving mixed with some highway. Winter fuels in many areas will keep the winter mileage 15%-20% lower, so 9 MPG with most of the TIME on city streets etc., is not out of the question, and 12/13 on the highway.

97chevyman
01-02-2005, 08:39 AM
it is more than a big 302, same series, the block is wider, crank journals are larger and different deck height, but anyhow, try new oxygen sensors, i beleive you have 3 one wire sensors. Try those, fuel filter, and some new plugs.

Paul Masley
01-02-2005, 02:19 PM
ModMech, you are wrong, my 85 had a 351M under the hood and it got great mileage.

The 351M was phased out around 1988. The poster probally has a 351W, though.

andy2005
01-02-2005, 03:22 PM
You do not have a 351M, nothing after about '82 had them, you have a 351W (5.8L), which is basically a big 302 (5.0L).

They do suck gas, but 9 MPG is very low, you should see 14/15 on the highway, and around 10 in city driving mixed with some highway. Winter fuels in many areas will keep the winter mileage 15%-20% lower, so 9 MPG with most of the TIME on city streets etc., is not out of the question, and 12/13 on the highway.

Well, I was told by a good mechanic, and two ford truck fanatics that its a 351M.

Add your comment to this topic!