2barrel vs 4 barrel

[HillbillyDelux]

f100 2wd auto 3.50 gear
iv got a 2bbl 302 pretty stock
right now i get about 14.5 mpg around town
i want more power but dont wanna ruin my mileage. thought about goin with 4bbl iv heard a lot of people say that a well tuned 4bbl could get just as good or better mileage than a 2bbl if u keep your foot out of it.
anyone switched from a 2 to 4 an got better or equal mileage?
any other ideas for a lil more power?

[fireguywtc]

as it has been explained to me, a 4 barrel carb that has primaries and secondaries can usually get a little bit better milage then a stock 2 barrel. Reason being is the 2 barrel has to provide all the air and fuel throughout the entire range, so they are quite large. A 4 barrel provide less air and fuel when there is less demand, but when the pedal is mashed and there is more demand (vacum) it opens up all the carb to supply the needed air and fuel. Again this is what was explained to me and it makes sense to me, but I am not a mechanic.

Of course if you switch to a 4 barrel, I would not expect anything amazing for increase in milage, but a small to negligible increase is likely. Perhaps you will so no increase in milage, but you will have a little more performance on tap when you need it. I think if you switch to a 4 barrel in combination with a good flowing exhaust system, better intake, and a freer flowing air filter, you could get a decent increase in overall mpg and driveability. You can also do those in increments as money allows. I bought a universal open air filter kit at auto zone for around $25 if I remember quickly and it seemed to breathe a little easier. Have fun upgrading!

[fastEdsel]

A long time ago I owned a '63 Mercury M100 pickup. It had 292 Y block, 2 barrel, 3 on the tree and a 3:89 diff. There wasn't much around that could touch it, a real torquey pickup. It went like h**l and because the engine didn't have to work as hard because of the gearing, the mileage was about 16-17. Rather than mess with the 302 with a balanced 2 barrel carb for the engine, you might want to consider changing the differential gears instead. It's gonna be about the same cost anyway. Go to a gear center, maybe they have a carrier that is already set up that you can try out and see. If you do go that route you will also have to change the speedometer drive to synchronise the vehicle speed with what the speedometer is showing. My '68 Ranger had the same 3:50 diff you have and was fine for the 360 and it would do 18 if I drove it on a trip. It could be a little lame for the 302 though. What do you the others think?

[HillbillyDelux]

thats wat i wanted to hear
i dont expect much increase in mileage i jus dont wanna get worse but i do want the extra power

[HillbillyDelux]

i thoought bout doin lower gears but if i did id want overdrive for the interstate and i cant afford all that right now

[fireguywtc]

I wouldn't change your gear ratio, especially if you want to go to an OD later on.

[george worley]

I changed from 2bbl to 4bbl Holley on my 390 c6 3:71 gear and it basically got the same mpg.I get 10-12 mpg but I drive mostly city and urban roads. I can tell you it sure felt a lot stronger and ran better on full throttle acceleration.