Looking to do a manifold and carb swap on the Ford 352 stock engine fresh rebuilt looking for economy and reliability over performance!any suggestions on brand and model? Sent from my SM-G935F using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
What's on it now? These were never known for their fuel economy in any case, particularly with an automatic trans.
Besides knowing what you have, what are you currently getting for mileage? Typical economy with these was in the 12-14 mpg range around town if driven gently and in a good state of tune, and the high teens on the highway. I've owned more than a few FEs, and while they're great motors, economy was never their forte...
If you just want to mess around and not break the bank or your back you could look into a Mr Gasket part #1933 and a used Edelbrock 1404 from ebay, you might get out for less than $100. Rig the linkeages. (I'm ***uming you have the 2 barrel) That's exactly how my mind works, I just like experimenting. It will give you a chance to rebuild your original carb so you can put it back on if (when) the adapter ****s. If you are feeling ambitious maybe inquire here if anyone recommends something like this, http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/2105PK/10002/-1 I believe removing that intake might be a pia http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/replacing-an-fe-intake-manifold.457575/ Hopefully someone more knowledgable with 352's will chime in. I'm guessing the best thing you could do for economy is rehab your existing carb and adjust it perfectly.
Crazy Steve is dead on. I have more than One FE in my current collection. 14 mpg is a really good day. If you are factory 4 bbl you'd be better off taking the stock manifold off and having it extrude honed and hand build a good set of headers. Check out the drive side rear corner of exhaust manifold. There's a real issue you can clean up. Unfortunatly none of the current over the counter headers are worth a ****, at least not that I know of. The Wizzard
If you're looking for economy, there was one intake that offered a small mileage gain if you can find one (doubtful...). IIRC Edelbrock in the late 70s used to make a FE intake designed for the '73-76 Ford FE truck 360 motor with small intake runners (to promote better velocity) that could be worth a couple of mpg, but it killed the top end. Designed as a bolt-on for stock smog motors, it improved torque and low-speed response. It also had provision for EGR, so some monkey-motion would be needed on an older motor. Worked decent on a truck, but NOT a performance part... Your other choice is to ditch the automatic and convert to a manual trans. Still won't do much for around-town mileage, but would help highway mileage.
OK, since he has not gotten back yet all this is farts in the wind. I'm betting he has an after market intake and four barrel ("engine fresh rebuilt"). Could be the stock 4 barrel carb and intake but I kind of doubt that in a 4 door but its possible. If its the 79 lb 2 barrel why look for economy? I'll put a fiver on it, any takers? Just trying to p*** the time and make it interesting. I'm curious as to what the hell is in it.
I'll bet a virtual $5. I guessed it was a stock 2v. A. I couldn't imagine wanting to go from a 4v to a 2v. Like having penile reducing surgery. B. Except the wheels, bone stock, interior not updated so I bet it's the stock intake. C. Performance upgrades are more likely on 2 door. The wheels might have been replaced because the stocks were damaged and the donks were easier to get. (He's in the UK) D. The OP is new, and has several threads going, is replying to posts and seems enthusiastic about participating, he'll come back so we'll get an answer, not sure the time in UK. I'm gonna buy a virtual coffee and doughnuts with my winnings.
lol I thought the same thing (A) as you but not in such a painful description. Its just a hunch and I'm pretty bad at hunches. Your on, but that might not get you very much at a virtual Starbucks.
I had a 390FE in my old 66 unibody Fairlane with C6, 600 Holley with Tri-Ys, 3.25:1 rear and got 14mpg on the highway. Pretty much stock with mild cam. Globs of torque and fun to drive.
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