I appreciate all your suggestions and sharing of your obviously extensive
knowledge.
Thank you
""Ray Block"" <bpracing@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:200505150601.j4F61F403554@bent.twistedbits.net...
:
:
: > -----Original Message-----
: > From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net [mailto:owner-dakota-
: > truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Quintin
: >
: > My understanding is that I could make the switch to 1.5's in the old
: > reliable stamped rocker form with minimal fuss. Something like what I
was
: > looking at here:
: >
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=egnsearch.asp&N=300415&au
: > toview=sku
:
: Those are all stud mount rockers. Until you install a conversion kit,
you
: have no studs.
:
: As for "mods", I'm not aware of a magic bullet that will suddenly get you
: great mileage. Dodge did make some changes, around '94 I believe, to
: increase low end torque in the 3.9 and 5.2 engines. For example, they
: changed the cam profile and used a smaller diameter exhaust system.
These
: changes cost some horsepower but gained a small amount of torque. It
: wouldn't be cost effective to change yours to those parts.
:
: I know of a few things you could change (depending on how yours is
equipped
: and how/where you drive....such as rear end gearing) that could get you a
: small mileage improvement but they're not cost effective. Your
underdrive
: pulleys and fan, though, were a cost effective mod! Congrats on that.
:
: > I
: > am just a 40 year old guy, not a 20 something racer wannabe. Not that
: > there
: > is anything wrong with that, it's just not my style. I'm too old for
that
: > stuff.
:
: Sorry to hear you're too old for "that stuff" but to me you're just a kid.
: ;-) I'm 61 and have been racing for more years than you've been alive.
: Apparently you didn't look at my drag-truk link. ?
:
:
: > I don't really think I need to do anything with the exhaust as I am not
: > seeking to hot rod it.
:
: Hmmm, a misconception methinks. Back in the '70s/'80s when my parents
had
: V8 cars and traveled frequently between FL and OH...they found that
: converting their cars to dual exhaust gained them, on average, about 3
mpg.
: They weren't what one would call hot rodders. Well ok, maybe my mother
was
: but at age 85 she's beginning to slow down a little. :-)
:
: It's all about efficiency Quintin. Less restriction getting the air in
and
: the exhaust out results in better efficiency. Same principle as your UD
: pulleys....less strain on the engine.
:
: The correct choice of mods typically results in a much more efficient
: combination than the factory offered, often resulting in better mileage
: along with higher performance. Before my current gear and torque
: converter selections, I used to average 22 mpg at highway speeds with 400
: pounds of racing gear in the bed. I'm down to 20 mpg now but the trade
off
: was worth it to me for the improved performance on the track. After all,
: it's not my daily driver.
:
: > My brakes can increase the economy? Please post what you know here, I
: > promise to read every word.
:
: Not only your brakes, but also your tires. Few people seem to be aware
of
: this but the same size tire, from different manufacturers, can weigh
several
: pounds more or less. Wheel weight is also a variable. Less weight,
: better mileage (and performance)!
:
: As for brakes, any unnecessary drag will hurt your mileage (as well as
: performance). Be sure the rear drums are properly adjusted. If the auto
: adjuster is working they probably are, but you can make sure by cleaning
: everything and lubing the adjuster threads with a little anti-seize. Also
: apply a little anti-seize at each spot where the shoes contact the backing
: plate. Disconnect the parking brake cable at it's adjuster and pull the
: cables out as far as possible at the rear. Lube them with anti-seize and
: pull them back and forth until you have lubed every bit of them that makes
: contact with something else. You want to be sure it doesn't ever hang up
: after using it, yet have it adjusted so it works.
:
: On the front calipers, lube the adapter (with a THIN film of anti-seize)
: wherever the pad ears make contact so they will retract easily (quickly)
for
: less drag. Use a thin film of silicone grease on the guide pins. If you
: ever change wheel bearing grease use synthetic.
:
: Like the other tips I gave you...it's just a whole lot of little details
: that can make a big difference in mileage (and performance). Not
: glamorous, but they work.
:
: I may be a "racer" but on the street I strive for the best mileage I can
: get.
:
: Ray Block
: 1992 Dakota Sport, RC, 2WD, 5.2L
: See Drag-Truk link for mods...
: http://www.dragtruk.com/ENTRIES/20KM1FD2KWBP.html
:
:
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