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View Full Version : 80s dodge economy issues.


JesseA
01-17-2006, 02:24 PM
In recent weeks my dodge's (86 318 with all factory equipment feedback BBD and a dist with no vac advance) has dropped its fuel economy from a stable 13 to 10.5 MPG. when i bought the truck about a year ago i could almost eek 15 out of it with 235s and 3.23s.
low end power seems to be dropping off and throttle response seems to have been reduced as well -but I dont know if i am just imagining it

I have thought fleetingly about swapping to a different carburator either a non feedback BBD (i have had good luck with them actually) or an MC2100.
along with swapping to an earlier ignition module that is not computer controlled with a Mopar Dist that does have a vac advance- or going with the HEI igniton- but have heard mention of firewall clearancing- Does that need to be done?

The Chiltons manual i have describes an ECM that continually adjusts the timing advance and says it has a limp in mode- when sensors read excessivly out of parameters. I wonder if there is a way to check it for codes and such.- seemed to me that I saw a five pin plug under the hood at one point

I have an inherent suspicion of all 80s feedback garbage- but am OK with it as long as it works ok. I would be happy with the current stuff if i can diagnose the problem- I dont want to replace everything- or anything needlessly.

low fuel economy and a percieved reduction of power are unnacceptable. I drive this thing daily and use it to tow my Samurai when I am wheeling off the back 40. It generally sees about 700 miles a week and I need the best economy i can get out of it within reason- I would be happy to be back up around 13-14 again.
Any thougths?
Thanks.

Norm
01-17-2006, 04:34 PM
Have you tried a basic tune up ? 86 was about the tail end of the carbed trucks, since it's computer controlled it will take some work to swap it over. You might be able to swap the ignition over to a early 80's electronic ignition and run a generic carter carb. But if it was me, I'd try to fix what you have first.