These vans aren't known for good fuel mileage, even with the 300. The only way you'd get near 20MPG would be to accelarate like a slug and keep it around 45 to 50. Which would probably give 18MPG or so. I had one with a carefully built 302 and could only squeeze 21MPG out if it at those speeds. The 300 is a great engine but this body style isn't any more aerodynamic than a brick and there ain't much to be done about that. If you get 14-15MPG in normal driving with any engine you're doing good.
Now I love the 300 str8 six, but double the fuel mileage? C'mon man, I have owned a couple of trucks with the 300. They are not fuel efficient. In fact the factory rating is maybe 1 mpg more on the highway than the 302. And just 2 or so mpg from the 351. With the deck height , bore and stroke of the 300 it really is a big block engine. Again great engine, but also a gas hog.
@@StumpyVanLife 5:10 he says that the engine is rated with 20-22 mpg. This is realistic I think. I have seen a review of a Chevy van with a 6.2L V8 Diesel. There the guy said he could get 30 mpg. So diesel is still better in mpg.
@@Gieszkanne I think he is mistaken about the rating. I have owned several vehicles with the 300 , great engine but a gas hog. even with EFI in a 1995 F150 with a 5 speed I struggled to get 17 on the highway. That was a regular cab 2wd base model truck too. I just don't see a Van with a 300 getting anywhere near 20 let alone 22 mpg.
@SPCMobileAutoRepair Dont take my word, here is the EPA fuel economy rating for the van, 18 city, 23 highway fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=2647
Glad you love your van! I have an 1983 E-100 Shorty I bought new. It also has a 300 4.9L 6 in her. Still runs fine besides a few hiccups lately. But that's only because she's getting a bit old. Like me. Good luck with her....
Is that near Moab, Utah? Nice trailer. Wish I had a truck and the money to buy your trailer. I lost my job, no thanks to COVID-19. I'm older (57 years old) and trying to find a job at this point has been, well, POINTLESS. Trump and his ilk certainly haven't helped the situation any. All I can think about now is going out on the road and living off-grid with no income to speak of. I'm too young to start collecting Social Security, which I have paid into since I was fifteen years old. I also have a really tiny retirement coming to me from Disney ... AFTER I turn 67 ... if I live that long. Life is CRAZY!
