my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Ozark Tim** · 10-31-2011, 08:27 AM

I find myself with a new 72 beater every few years (it's a virus I think)
This year I bought a 71 Custom 10 with a 307 V8, 3-spd manual with optional 3:07 diff and only a few minor options. I guess the optional 3:07 diff really helps on the mileage.
I drove it to the farm 2 weeks ago and brought a different truck home and then brought it back this weekend.
I averaged 62-67 mph and got over 16 mpg on it. I have made the trip back and forth since 1975 so I know the miles and didnt do the wrong math. I guess I am used to my 11-12 mpg 350's.

**dan42** · 10-31-2011, 09:21 AM

Sounds like it's great on the highway. Probably not as good around town, but still, 16 mpg is pretty impressive for one of these old trucks.

domeier · 10-31-2011, 10:14 AM

The difference between 11 and 16 mpg didn't mean too much in 1973, but it sure as hell means something today:

500 mile trip in 1973, $.50/gal
11 mpg = $22.73
16 mpg = $15.63
difference = $7.10

500 mile trip in 2011, $3.79/gal
11 mpg = $172.26
16 mpg = $118.44
difference = $53.82

Hell, $53.82 is almost enough money to get you a down payment on a tire...

Bears63 · 10-31-2011, 12:17 PM

That gear ratio helps a lot. My '71 is rather low geared, I tach 2700 rpm @ 60 mph. If I go 65 (3000 rpm) I get a little over 11 mpg, but driving at 60 I get just a hair over 14 mpg. Dropping the rpm's is a big step in mileage.

**Ozark Tim** · 10-31-2011, 12:33 PM

Whatever the case. I LIKE IT.
I wont even mention I fought a headwind when I took it down and a crosswind on the way back. Maybe it gets better in the right conditions???
I dont think my old 250 six sticks got much more than 15 through all the years I had those for beaters.
I guess I got a good'n.

domeier · 10-31-2011, 01:40 PM

My first vehicle was a 71 swb with 307/th350, and it got 16-17 highway before I started messing it up with "performance" parts. I wish I had that truck today. It was so nice.

**Ozark Tim** · 10-31-2011, 01:56 PM

been there and done that with a 67 CST/10 with a 283 30 years ago. Oh well, were smarter than that now...LOL!

**72BlckButy** · 10-31-2011, 05:33 PM

That's awesome Tim.

What all does your fleet consist of these days? You were selling right and left there for a while.

**70cst** · 10-31-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan42

Sounds like it's great on the highway. Probably not as good around town, but still, 16 mpg is pretty impressive for one of these old trucks.

**Hubscrub** · 10-31-2011, 09:29 PM

Nice, it's nice to see a 307 for a change.

**special-K** · 11-01-2011, 06:23 AM

Sounds like you have a great little shuttle craft there. I've always stood up for the 307. Sure a 350 gives more power,but that thrifty little engine that could is one efficient little mill and'll get you down the road just fine without a whole epidemic of technology.

**red71cheyenne** · 11-01-2011, 10:18 PM

Looks like its in real nice shape for a beater! Wish I could get 16 in one of mine. Maybe I should do a 307 in my next project.

Congrats!

**SS Tim** · 11-02-2011, 12:35 AM

My '72 bb Suburban would get a consistent 17mpg freeway on 3.07s. In town it was a whole different matter. The gas guage would turn almost as fast as the tach. But then leaded premium and lots of timing helped.

10-31-2011, 08:27 AM	#1
Ozark Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakville, MO Posts: 666	my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg I find myself with a new 72 beater every few years (it's a virus I think) This year I bought a 71 Custom 10 with a 307 V8, 3-spd manual with optional 3:07 diff and only a few minor options. I guess the optional 3:07 diff really helps on the mileage. I drove it to the farm 2 weeks ago and brought a different truck home and then brought it back this weekend. I averaged 62-67 mph and got over 16 mpg on it. I have made the trip back and forth since 1975 so I know the miles and didnt do the wrong math. I guess I am used to my 11-12 mpg 350's. Attached Images

10-31-2011, 09:21 AM	#2
dan42 Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 4,929	Re: my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg Sounds like it's great on the highway. Probably not as good around town, but still, 16 mpg is pretty impressive for one of these old trucks. __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! '10 4 door Silverado 4X4 (worker bee) Click here to support the board "The best high is the Most High!"

10-31-2011, 10:14 AM	#3
domeier Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 731	Re: my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg The difference between 11 and 16 mpg didn't mean too much in 1973, but it sure as hell means something today: 500 mile trip in 1973, $.50/gal 11 mpg = $22.73 16 mpg = $15.63 difference = $7.10 500 mile trip in 2011, $3.79/gal 11 mpg = $172.26 16 mpg = $118.44 difference = $53.82 Hell, $53.82 is almost enough money to get you a down payment on a tire...

10-31-2011, 12:17 PM	#4
Bears63 ...just another truck junkie.. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Watertown, SD Posts: 427	Re: my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg That gear ratio helps a lot. My '71 is rather low geared, I tach 2700 rpm @ 60 mph. If I go 65 (3000 rpm) I get a little over 11 mpg, but driving at 60 I get just a hair over 14 mpg. Dropping the rpm's is a big step in mileage. __________________ Mike "Bear" Shea '63 C20 LWB Stepside '71 C10 Cheyenne Build thread for my '63 C20

10-31-2011, 12:33 PM	#5
Ozark Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakville, MO Posts: 666	Re: my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg Whatever the case. I LIKE IT. I wont even mention I fought a headwind when I took it down and a crosswind on the way back. Maybe it gets better in the right conditions??? I dont think my old 250 six sticks got much more than 15 through all the years I had those for beaters. I guess I got a good'n.

10-31-2011, 01:40 PM	#6
domeier Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 731	Re: my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg My first vehicle was a 71 swb with 307/th350, and it got 16-17 highway before I started messing it up with "performance" parts. I wish I had that truck today. It was so nice.

10-31-2011, 01:56 PM	#7
Ozark Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakville, MO Posts: 666	Re: my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg been there and done that with a 67 CST/10 with a 283 30 years ago. Oh well, were smarter than that now...LOL!

10-31-2011, 05:33 PM	#8
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 23,920	Re: my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg That's awesome Tim. What all does your fleet consist of these days? You were selling right and left there for a while. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package (Link)) Help Support the Board here... Krue's FAQs Page

10-31-2011, 09:29 PM	#10
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,694	Re: my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg Nice, it's nice to see a 307 for a change. __________________ 71 C-10 Can't make my mind up 71 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=3837663 67 C-10 Lime Wife's 67 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4005038 Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt Do you remember back in old L.A., When everybody drove a Chevrolet.....(beach baby)

11-01-2011, 06:23 AM	#11
special-K Senior Moment Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt.Airy,MD Posts: 44,341	Re: my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg Sounds like you have a great little shuttle craft there. I've always stood up for the 307. Sure a 350 gives more power,but that thrifty little engine that could is one efficient little mill and'll get you down the road just fine without a whole epidemic of technology. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"......GMC `72 Sierra Custom Camper K2500 Wideside: 350/TH350/4.10 PowerLoc/AC/Tilt/Tach `67 Super Custom 1500 SWB Wideside: 327/M22/3.42 posi...project "Poor Boy" (using what I have) '71 Custom 30 DRW Wrecker: 350/4spd/5.14 '85 Sierra Jimmy K2500: 6.2/700r4/4.10 Locker '92 SLE K3500 SRW: 6.5TD/NV4500/4.10 Locker Tim R.I.P. East Side Low Life ____________ R.I.P. El Jay__

11-01-2011, 10:18 PM	#12
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,163	Re: my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg Looks like its in real nice shape for a beater! Wish I could get 16 in one of mine. Maybe I should do a 307 in my next project. Congrats! __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer (Are they ever really done?) 1995 K1500 Suburban 2005 Malibu 2005 K1500 Suburban 2007 Malibu LTZ 2010 2SS/RS Orange Camaro! Does it ever stop?

11-02-2011, 12:35 AM	#13
SS Tim "Just the facts, Ma'am" Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 3,191	Re: my blue 71 beater gets 16+ mpg My '72 bb Suburban would get a consistent 17mpg freeway on 3.07s. In town it was a whole different matter. The gas guage would turn almost as fast as the tach. But then leaded premium and lots of timing helped. __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN & Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) *** post your SPID

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