dr_bowtie

I have NOT took any engine part off or modified any internal part... only part I've had off the truck is the thermostat housing... and that was to put a 160° Thermostat in the thing.

They say chevy Big Block 1.7 rockers but Ford 1.7 will work too. if you dont wat to mod I'd suggest getting Self-Aligning rockers and then you wont have the guide plate issue...

sportster07

Buy a car to drive on the side for commuting. I always have two vehicles, sometimes more (ATM I have 2 plus a motorcycle).

Here's my 08 Civic EX-L. 30ish MPG no problem. I wish it was standard but I got a good deal on it so I can't complain. 90,000KM on it.

93F-150

i agree with this. that's what i did when i had to drive 50+ miles a day. a cheap car will quickly pay for itself

Manuellabour247

If you can find a set somehow, the old 16x6 Bronco II rims and tires would probably help with mpg as well. I know when I put them on my 73 w/ 302 I gained at least a mile per gallon even with a somewhat heavy foot. They were mud tires too so they helped on country roads and when it was slushy outside. Just something else to consider if you haven't.

unit505

Dr.Bowtie, That's the info I was looking for. What kind of gain will the rockers produce? The rockers I saw to use were from the Chevy straight 6.

dr_bowtie

you wont really gain mpg from a rocker swap. but you will free up some frictional power and reduce top end oil heat... it will also help it rev a little quicker but it wont be night/day.

if I was going to change rockers I'd also test/change valve springs as they are totally weak and prone to losing pressure. I'd also advance the cam 4° (8° crankshaft) as well.

there was another member here that had 2.73 rear gears getting 26 mpg highway and was shooting for 28-30. not sure if he ever made it I know the best was 27mpg at the time. we did the same mods and I drive with a heavier foot....

unit505

I want to change my valve cover gasket as it leaks in the rear. I've just been leary of pulling the intake since I've never done it before. I had a brand new alternator and valve cover in ford blue delivered today. They just replaced a 4.9 with something like 1 million hours on it from a natural gas pump station and they had these sitting in storage for it. FREE! I have a reason to tear into it now and might as well find the rockers and springs while I'm into it. My step son said the 4.9 still didn't smoke or have any problems. The company just wants to replace all the Ford 4.9 motors with diesels. Amazing how many years these 4.9's have been running 24/7 with no motor failures. I guess I need to hit him up tomorrow for the springs too.

sdmartin65

The valve cover gasket is not a bad job at all. Well worth it because the pushrod cover and valve cover will drain to the same spot, right at bottom corner of pushrod cover. So hard to tell which one is bad. No need to remove throttle body from intake and if lucky the intake gasket will stick to one half, upper or lower. Did mine in a couple hours but didn't touch anything else. Was able to reuse upper intake gasket.

Ol' Navy

I'd gladly do this but I'm only 20 with a part time job right now that I just started. I have absolutely no credit or cash saved up yet.

unit505

If I had a compact car parked in my driveway, it would be lawn art. My work is my second home. My tools come with me every where I go, unless it's to the movies or dinner. I'm always doing some project when we're not running 911 calls and a car would be a waste. Another insurance bill and another maintenance item. Nope! Not for me. Both my trucks are in perfect running order and my mpg is another one of my projects. It's a tinker and experiment project and something that I can say I built. Nothing like having the satisfaction of a positive result.