Ok guys, this is mostly carb related but I also have a set of 302 heads at my disposal, the motor in my '86 5th Ave has bottom end issues.

The vehicle is my 1975 D-100 shorty pickup. It has a stock '83 318 2-v with under 100k backed by an A-833OD iron case tranny out of a '76. The rear is original to the frame, an 8 1/4 with 3.55 gears. I am running manual steering and no A/C.

Dry weight without a driver is 3600 lbs, as I took a load of breakage over the scales recently. I'm usually packing tools and parts that add around 100-150 lbs to that. Not to mention my weight that I wont mention.

At first I was getting close to 15 mpg not tuned. Its gone downhill because the re-manned BBD is starting to get cranky. It runs ok but rich and the main gasket is starting to seep.

Anyway I'd like to find the best combo for mileage. I'd love to see 18-20 out of this thing. Do I stick with the 2-v or go with a 4-v? I have a stock iron '84 360 4-v manifold at my disposal.

Now on my heads, is it worth it to throw on a set of "302" heads on an otherwise stock 318? Will I see any gains over my open chambers?

I want this thing to have some get up and go but do decent enough for me to be able to afford to drive it daily. Opinions?

Some of the throttle body fuel injection setups have dropped in price, and may be an option?
Free flowing exhaust systems usually helps too.

You have a leaking carb and ask about MPG? Engine not tuned?

Rebuild the damn thing and tune the engine. Then see if you should spend any more money on stuff.

Once your sort out the obvious issues I would switch to a spreadbore 4bbl.A quadrajet or thermoquad will do wonders for your mileage as lond as you keep your foot out of it.

CHECK and see if the intake exh-heat-crossover is plugged. VEY commom situation and it will kill MPG big-time.

RR ..... just saw my spelling on VERY ... it is ruff typing with one handed .... my left hand got nailed by a circular saw.

Those SB intakes are FAMOUS for plugging up. I had a van that was so bad it even plugged-up into the head AND it killed MPG ...I will try posting a pic ...