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07-24-2016, 01:35 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Carseland
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 8
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1986 345 with a 454
I have change the plugs and the wires on the 454 but do not get very good gas mileage any ideas on what else I can do
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07-24-2016, 03:18 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Alliance
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 262
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About 8 MPG seems to be what most people get. What kind of mileage are you getting?
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07-24-2016, 03:30 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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A 345 with a 454 is not going to get good mileage. If you're getting 8 with a 345 I'd be surprised. I would expect more like 5.5 to 7 mpg.
About your only option to improve mileage is to install a Gear Vendors overdrive or change to a 4L80e transmission. Of the two options the Gear Vendors is by far the easier of the two to install.
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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07-24-2016, 03:42 PM
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#4
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Dazed and Confused
Currently Looking...
1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,805
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Take out the plugs and wires and go diesel.
"L" is right, 8mpg US is top of the range with 6 mpg US in the hilly stuff or towing a toad. You have to remember the 454 got pitiful gas mileage pulling 6,000 lbs cars, let alone pulling 16,000+ lbs of moho that pushes aside a lot of air.
All the other things you can do are big buck stuff, like converting to diesel or adding a modern 502 RV crate engine with better fuel systems, or like Brad stated with the Gear Vendors OD.
Just to make you want to puke, my turbo diesel 310 costs me roughly $12.00 per hour to operate in 55 mph country style driving; that's just over 19 mpg per Imperial gallon.
Cheers
Tony
__________________
Per Mare, Per Terram and may all your campaigns be successful.
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.” "Harry S Truman"
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07-24-2016, 03:43 PM
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#5
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1 Rivet Member
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Carseland
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 8
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I am getting about 6 mpg
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07-24-2016, 03:45 PM
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#6
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1 Rivet Member
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Carseland
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 8
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And that is towing 2 quads behind me
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07-24-2016, 03:49 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cedarc
And that is towing 2 quads behind me
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It sounds to me like you're at the top end of the range you can expect for mileage. The only thing I ever found to improve mpg on a rig your size was to ensure the air hose to the carburetor is out in front of the radiator.
In an old 27' Winnebago with a 454 I went from 5.5 mpg to 6.5 mpg by adding a hose from the carburetor air snorkel to the front of the grille so the engine was breathing cooler air.
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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07-24-2016, 03:53 PM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Carseland
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 8
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I will have to try that and I live in a higher altitude than most of you do
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07-24-2016, 03:55 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cedarc
I will have to try that and I live in a higher altitude than most of you do
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Altitude certainly isn't doing you any favors so if you're getting 6 mpg then I'd say your rig is in pretty decent tune.
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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07-24-2016, 03:56 PM
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#10
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1 Rivet Member
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Carseland
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 8
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That's good to hear thanks it runs great
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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07-24-2016, 04:05 PM
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#11
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Dazed and Confused
Currently Looking...
1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,805
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A ram air scoop, even handmade, would certainly help a lot, as would a clean air filter.
The only thing I could add is the weight issue; pack the least amount possible, don't travel with a full water tank or waste tanks if possible , even buy gas for the quads closer to your destination.
The rule of thumb for weight is, for every 100 lbs you carry, you must add 10 hp to your vehicle to maintain vehicle performance. Weight, or lack of it is the best mod to make with these rigs.
BTW Please post some pics of your coach if possible.
Cheers
Tony
__________________
Per Mare, Per Terram and may all your campaigns be successful.
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.” "Harry S Truman"
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07-24-2016, 04:14 PM
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#12
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1 Rivet Member
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Carseland
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 8
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Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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07-24-2016, 04:15 PM
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#13
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1 Rivet Member
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Carseland
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 8
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What can I use to polish it
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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07-24-2016, 04:56 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1984 31' Airstream310
Honokaa
, Hawaii
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 993
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Lots of polishing info in this part of the forums:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f441/
What have you used so far? It looks pretty good.
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07-24-2016, 05:01 PM
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#15
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1 Rivet Member
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Carseland
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 8
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I haven't used anything at all
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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