Well, I just finished my trip from Oklahoma to Illinois, Indiana, and back home again. I had to cut out the leg to Edmonton, Ontario. I covered the entire trip in 2,114 miles using approximately 130.42 gallons of gas, sans trailer, but hauling a few hundred pounds of cargo. My mileage came out to 16.20mpg. Very impressive considering all of the hills. I had to top off the oil a few times (before the trip and then at the folks' house in Illinois). I got to talking to my dad about it (a retired automotive engineer) and he said it could take up to 5,000 for the rings to seat. He also noticed I had some soot spew from my tailpipe when I demonstrated the exhaust for him. He's thinking I might be running lean, while I'm wondering if it's from my driving beforehand, when the engine wasn't hitting just right. I've also noticed splatters all along the tailgate and along the driver's side frame rail. I am going to pull the O2 sensors, clean them, and then check them after my trip to Texas this coming weekend. The last thing I need is to clog this new catalytic converter.

Oh, and the problem with the parking lights, dash lamps, and fog lamps was a fuse. That's better than $70+ dollars for a new switch!

 

16.2 is pretty impressive. what speeds where you driving?

 

I was trying to stay steady around 70/75mpg. See my thread about VSS diagnosis. BTW - does anyone know how to connect a timing light to these trucks? I'm thinking the distributor needs a bit more of a CCW turn.

 

the timing is not adjustable, it's controlled by the pcm. for fuel sync, you'd need a scan tool