bboogieart

Not really ready to do this yet but the gas price situation isn't going to get better. The van is a b-200 3/4 ton with a 318 727. What would be the best way to go. If looking for a doner in the scrap yards what should I be looking at. Probably looking at starting to gather parts and maybe this summer yet to get it done. Getting about 8 mpg now so no road trips unless some one is buying the gas. What kind of improvement would I be looking at? Taller tires will be in the mix. How do I correct the speedo for this?
Thanx one and all, in advance.

440roadrunner

First, you might mention WHAT are you thinking of using? OD Torqueflite, or convert to OD 4 speed?

Next, before you turn a wrench, you might investigate exactly what you have now. What RPM does the engine run at what highway speeds? How much weight do you normally carry? (service van, etc) It just might be, that the cruise RPM is already "on the power curve" for the weight and speed and cannot be helped all that much, AND it just might be that depending on tire size, gears, cruise speed and weight, etc, that more gear MIGHT JUST cause the mileage to go down.

These and many other questions........

bboogieart

Thanx 440roadrunner,
This is what I am looking to learn. Looking for the 727 varients. a500 or a 518 I think they are. The motor runs great and I would like to keep it. Can the motor be tuned ( cam, gears, tires?) to dial in to the power band at cruize or should I just get a complete set-up from an overdrive van? Not a service van but the one pictured. I know service vans were equipped with overdrive so not sure of the reference there. I will need to install a tach to see just where it is now but would guess at least 3200 rpm at 65mph. Weight is about 4000# empty. Tire hight is 27"
Quote "more gear MIGHT JUST cause the mileage to go down."
I get this and that is why I would like to know what works best.
Maybe just get the whole drive train out of an 80's van would be the way to go, my question is what should I be looking for. Will the rears swap out? I don't want to go injected. and the less electrical the better.

ddunk80

it's easy to look if you have a tire marker.... you can remember it anyways...

440roadrunner

Also, 76 was right in the middle of the "terrible mileage years" before EFI, after more stringent smog equipment/ laws came about.

Are you required to maintain smog gear? (Where do you live?) 8 MPG seems terribly low. I'd expect at least 13-14 out of the thing. You might start with a good tuneup, make sure the EGR system is not stuck open, and maybe consider plugging it. Determine if the advance system is working, and if the carb is OK, etc. This isn't a lean burn thing, is it?

bboogieart

I would love to get 14 mpg, 8 was just an estamate. No smog test here yet. Northern Wisc. As I said I was just looking to gather info now as to what would work. The current set up runs good, 318, 727, after market holley intake and carb installed in the 70's, I don't see an egr. I was just hoping there was a way I could increase mpg. I would love to get some use other than just around town befor the thing starts to rust. It came from Georga and is in good shape. Do the newer vans with over drive only get 14 mpg? I was hoping for a little more. Might just have to get used to it.

440roadrunner

If this is used mostly "around town" or at least say, "locally" you are wasting your time with OD. I'd concentrate on engine condition, cam, intake, carb.

What actual carb and intake is on the thing?

And, to reiterate, I cannot emphasize enough to go completely through a tuneup and make sure stuff like distributor advance, etc, is working

TVLynn

Forget about the A500 in a 3/4 t Van. Get a 518
basically a 727 with an overdrive. Get something from early /mid 90's
Do a search lots of info about the swap on the internet
What gears do you have ? I have a SET OF 3.23 or 3.21 FOR A 9 1/4
I was going to put them in a 91 B250 Van. Should be easy to find a Van with a A518 Even get the drive shaft maybe? and trans mount

bboogieart

bboogieart-Quote(Not really ready to do this yet ,but the gas price situation isn't going to get better.)
440 roadrunner-Response( before you turn a wrench, you might investigate exactly what you have now.)

bboogieart-Quote (I would love to get some use other than just around town)
440 roadrunner Response (If this is used mostly "around town" or at least say, "locally" you are wasting your time with OD.)

440 roadrunner-Quote (I cannot emphasize enough to go completely through a tuneup and make sure stuff like distributor advance, etc, is working)
Good advice, but not the question here. Just looking into saving some money on gas...
The thing is, I LOVE to cruise, not just take small trips. Looking to put 1000's of miles on not 10's. It's a rust free van in good shape and I hate to see it sit, cuz my rust bucket 86 Chevy wagon 305 ci O.D. gets 23 mpg(?) . Good winter beater but I want to cruise in a nice mopar.

TVLynn, Thanx now this is something I can look into. Gears are 3:55s. Any idea what kind of improvement, I might see. If the conversion is a "cheapy" as planned just a little would be worth the effoert.

TVLynn

Depends on how heavy the van is.. I had a 79 B150 1/2 T Paneled type cargo with the 9 1/4 3.21 gears w/ 318 swapped to 360 when the motor died. Never had any problems. I did not do any HD towing except an occasional U haul open trailer, and a tow dolly.. It got 14mpg on the highway with a big 4bbl thermoquad. without overdrive. It seems ALL the vans get the 3.55 gears now days. Probably due to the overdrive. Overdrive kicks in about 40-45 mph. Had a 91 B250 conversion van with extra seats & fold down bed.. 360 W/ A518 Had a lot of extra weight It would get maybe 14 on the highway & 9 around town. My 91 got totaled while it was parked during a police chase so I never got to try the gears. My current 98 1/2 T needs an overdrive too. It's a 3.9 V6

bboogieart

TVLynn,
Thanx again, I have been getting around 8 mpg and no road trips so, sounds about right so far. Van is about 4000# I will keep this in mind.
If and when I decide to try O.D. I will post up the results.
boggie