mstg007

Just curious what is the best setup for a early 302 engine for best gas mileage? Besides the obivious driving it hard! lol.

Right now, I am getting about 12 miles to the gallon. After I get the rebuild in, I am hoping I will be around 15 mpg or more

What are you guys getting?

Thanks

Starfury

Depends on the build. A good mileage build would be moderate compression, low-quench heads, roller conversion cam that builds power at low rpm's, and a high rear end gear.

I'm averaging 10-12mpg with my aggressive 331 right now, and get ~15 on the freeway.

66mustang302

Liks starfury said it depends on how you build the engine, what exactly are you doing to it? If you convert it to fuel injection that'll give you a few more mpgs too

rst08tierney

I have seen a 302 get 72 miles to the gallon on a modified vapor carb setup. (extreamly un-safe) You should expect about 13 for the norm.

Starfury

later model fox body 5.0's tend to get 24+ freeway

rmodel65

yeah i get get nearly 28 mpg out of my 91gt

efi+5spd+3.55 gears= win

Starfury

Wow, with 3.55's? That makes me want to swap gears on my 90GT project...

Carlos Pineiro

My 302: 4bbl, 350 gears, 24"tall tires, glasspacks = 15mpg city/frwy

CP

SuperHoss

18-20 on the highway but it's a 289 with stock gears and the factory 4-speed
-600 or 650 Holley, Edelbrocks are good as well (I have a 4150 series 650 Holley)
-A good aluminum intake (preferably a Hi-Rise, I have an RPM Air-Gap)
-Any good set of Street heads will do... I have 1971 351 Windsor heads...Edelbrock Performer, Holley Systemax are good and will not break the bank completely. Aluminum heads are nice and lighter but and iron heads will serve you well also
-A good cooling system, clutch or electric fan will help and a better than stock radiator

Strangely enough, I came from a stock 289 hydraulic cam to a Crane flat tappet hydraulic with .488 lift at the valves on intake and exhaust and it didn't effect my mileage...just my idle. Roller cams are a good idea and would be my suggestion as well especially with the new regulations on motor oils, but don't be afraid of flat tappets because adding a bottle of zinc additive or engine/cam break-in fluid to your oil will offset the problem. SEFI and a 5-speed (or an AOD) will help push the mileage further into the 20s but the price starts getting pretty high.

mstg007

Hey, You mention the Zinc Additive for the Stock 289 - 302 engines, Is there special type of motor oil you would mention. I heard about the Napa but I usually use 10w-40 Pennsoil.