I recently swapped a factory spreadbore and qjet on my 79 318 and the mileage was about the same 13-15mpg But the performance difference was huge!

The 318 (5.2L) went to MPFI "Magnum" engine beginning in 1992, replacing the TBI design from 1988. Much more power...235HP vs 150HP from the old "LA" engines.

You'll be happy with the performance of the Magnum 5.2L. My '94 has the this engine and I've been very happy with the performance and reliability. I don't really know my mileage, but with the OD transmission I would guess around 14-15 on the highway. Granted I carry camp supplies in the van under a queen size bed.

The cool thing about Q-Jets is the primaries are alot smaller than the stock 2bbl so you get better mileage and the secondaries are like Holley Dominator sized so I would think it would help performance.

Man, the way gas prices are I'm starting to think I might have to give up that great 318 sound and look for a V6 model with a OD trans.

Thanxs guys.

Only other pic I can find of the old 76 van.

My 92 5.2 Dakota was walking off and leaving the 5.4 V-8 97 F-150 trucks from a 45 MPH drop, I'm talking hard pull away tire smoking from downshifting it too far, from a stop, I couldn't get it to hook up, even with 1200 LB of bricks in the back. Dad talked to his buddies with identical trucks ext cab, wedge topper, with the 3.9 V-6, they got the same mileage, yet had no power, wish I had it back, was bone stock, 12 city, 15 hwy at reasonable speeds.

My van was getting 7 mpg when I bought it. Worked on it some and we now get 11.9 in the city. We've never done a full tank of hwy but our last trip (where we made a point to avg 55 mph) we were on schedule for about 16 - 17 hwy.

I found the topic where MotorJunkie did the intake swap with a Q-Jet carb on it, never knew Dodge used a Quadajet carb on their stuff, that was a good read.

I didn't realize until lastnight after looking at Vans online that the newer Dodge Vans don't have the vent windows on the doors, total bummer. I like the looks of the new side mirrors but no vent windows, what were they thinking?

The thermo-quad Chrysler used sat on the same intake, similar designed carb, but the thermo sure would pour in the gas.

Yup...98-03 had no vent winders. 97 was weird year on that subject. Had the vent winder glass, but they were sealed shut! Duh! What was up with that???

Small things make a big diff in mileage. Size of your pipes make a big diff. Any time you can an engine breath in and out better, improves power and gas mileage. BUT if you go to big with your pipes you lose power and mileage do to loss of back pressure.

I think the Moon Disc helped fuel mileage at speeds above 50mph and I didn't have wide tires either which helped. I used tall tires too, think front were 225/75/15 and the back tires were 255/70/15 if I remember right.

The exhaust was 2 1/4" with glass pack bullet mufflers, sounded good.

It wasn't real heavy, just two captain seats up front and the back was typical cargo van with carpet and paneling on side walls.

I hope I come across a decent van with a blown motor because I'm thinking I could stick a Dodge 4 cylinder with an over drive trans in it and get some really good gas mileage.

Has anyone seen a van that has been modified in the front and rear of the body to clean up aerodynamics for better gas mileage?

There could be a big market out there for someone who designs a front clip that looks futuristic and adds to the over all looks of a van and of course improves gas mileage.

I'm just saying.