# 63 chevy c10 **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 10, 2009, 4:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/63-chevy-c10/31675 "2009-06-10T04:47:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![67chevelle300](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/67chevelle300/32/1288_2.png) [@67chevelle300](https://community.cartalk.com/u/67chevelle300)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 4:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/63-chevy-c10/31675/1 "2009-06-10T04:47:36Z")
ok i have a 63 c-10 with a sbc 400 and a 3 speed trans this is a swb truck and im just wondering if anyone has a good set up for 18+ nmpg set up that would work for my truck or just any ideas to make it more fuel efficient ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 5:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/63-chevy-c10/31675/2 "2009-06-10T05:08:13Z")
I think it’s going to be near impossible to get 18 MPG or better out of a setup like this. My memory is real fuzzy on this but I think these trucks had rear axle ratios in the high 3s (3:70s-3:90s). Combined with a 3 speed the RPMs are going to be up there. Your best options are to change the rear axle ratio to something like 3:08s and consider using a 700R4 automatic transmission (assuming you have a 3-speed auto now). If the engine has a Quadrajet carb these can be tweaked a bit along with bumping the ignition timing up a few degrees. I’ve owned a number of small block Chevys over the years (283s-350s) and managed to get 20-21 MPG highway out of all of them; although one old Monte Carlo was cantankerous and fought me tooth and nail all the way before getting it where I wanted it. ---
**Author:** ![67chevelle300](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/67chevelle300/32/1288_2.png) [@67chevelle300](https://community.cartalk.com/u/67chevelle300)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 5:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/63-chevy-c10/31675/3 "2009-06-10T05:27:09Z")
well its got a 3 spd manual and i was planning to put a 283 sbc in it that has just been rebuilt that has double hump heads and the 350 hp 327 cam. It has a l-79 67 intake also with a 600 edelbrock and the truck has headers and im gonna run a 2.5in exhaust. Im not sure of the rear end gear yet i got a few of the 63-72 chevy trucks so i should be able to find a lower gear if it has a high gear and the truck has a 32in tall tire for now ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 6:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/63-chevy-c10/31675/4 "2009-06-10T06:01:32Z")
High performance parts like the Duntov cam are not conducive to getting good mileage. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 6:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/63-chevy-c10/31675/5 "2009-06-10T06:10:13Z")
I get about that on the highway with my ‘76 C10 with the 250 engine and the 3-speed, but that’s mostly because the third gear is so freakin’ low it doesn’t like to go much over 55. ---
**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 12:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/63-chevy-c10/31675/6 "2009-06-10T12:19:19Z")
I agree with Caddyman. Please be clear on your goal. Is it power or good mileage? ---
**Author:** ![67chevelle300](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/67chevelle300/32/1288_2.png) [@67chevelle300](https://community.cartalk.com/u/67chevelle300)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/63-chevy-c10/31675/7 "2009-06-10T18:33:08Z")
well he 327 cam is only a 447 447 lift cam so its not as big as you think and its in a 283 otherwise it just has flat top pistons and 64 cc heads but im thinking about the holley pro-jection for the truck to get a lil more out of it ive even talked to a few people about turbocharging it so that that would help that little 283 and get a lil better fuel miliage