what would cause a van to get 5.5 miles to the gallon? it is a 1974 dodge tradesman

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camper van? trying to get an idea of what i am looking for when i take it in to be worked on. i am sure it wont pass emissions as it is because it has pretty smoky smelly exhaust. fuel mileage is no good, just because it is a 1974 doesn't mean it should get 5 miles to the gallon, it should be getting 10 or 12 mpg so don't tell me that's just how old vehicle are that's BS
 
Sound like the carburetor needs to be overhauled. A leaking power valve often causes poor gas mileage and rough idle. Sounds like it's running way too rich. Nothing a major tuneup won't fix.
 
i think its 1975 when you have to pass the smog test

to get better mileage replace
spark plugs
air filter
inflate tires to thr right p.s.i
fuel filter
maybe new spark plugs wires and coil

trust me i dive a 1972
 
as its american its proberly a petrol so mileage isnt going to be great, try new spark plugs and if its smokey a oil filter and oil change relatively cheap to do and should see an improvement if not proberly somethin g to do with the fuel calibration
 
Prepare yourself, a compression test will probably reveal a serious
almost inevitable need for either a valve job, piston rings, both or
a completely rebuilt engine.

If the exhaust is putting out those kinds of elements. It's serious
and don't expect much less.

Good Luck on your results...
 
if it smokes and smells like gas sounds like it needs a major tune up , spark plugs and wires, distributor cap and rotor, fuel filter. with it being that old maby the carb needs to be rebuilt as well
 
well you don't say what color the smoke is but it sounds like your carb is running a rich fuel mixture which could be as simple as a carb rebuild, replacing the jets on the carb, or adjusting the float height on the carb, if the smoke is black the rich fuel mixture may have caused one or more of your valves to burn out requiring a valve job, by the way congratulations on having a '74 that still runs and hasn't been crushed hope you'll keep it up.
 
yeah, 5 is pretty low..

sounds like a carb adjustment is in order, or at worst a rebuild.
Also have your timing checked as well and make sure you're running the right spark plug(s)
 
You have an AFB carburetor on that thing, can you say junk with me. Change it for an Edlebrock. Direct replacement. But 10 to 12 mpg's might be unrealistic
 
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