84 2.3 poor mpg and other issues

[fix_or_repair_daily]

Hi, have some questions about my ranger. It is 2.3 auto (c3?) 2wd swb 3.73 rear and I swapped the intake for the late 70s early 80s mustang, pinto... style with 2bbl. I put on a reman carb and I also put on the factory style header off a 95 or so ranger. I also did the ranger roller cam upgrade. My question is shouldn't I be getting better than 18.6 mpg even when I baby it? Also, I have the timing set to 2 degrees BTDC when the sticker calls for 6 and on steep hills I still have a slight ping. I also did the seafoam thing, new plugs, wires, cap, rotor button, and checked the pcv. Could it have anything to do with having where the egr goes blocked off (was like that when I got the intake)? Also, my friend at work claims the usually reman carbs have larger jets installed so they are not liable for people burning pistons and valves due to improper tuning, is he full of crap?

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[sgt snafu]

18.6 aint bad? my fuel injected '96 only does around 20MPG. I do have a rat rod with a 2.3 that does around 45MPG but thats just because its really light.

 

[Kenneth S]

My 88 supercab gets 22 mpg mainly around town driving, 26 mpg on the interstate only, with a 350 cfm holley 2 barrel knife edged lower efi intake, and an Esslingler 2" tall 2 barrel carb adaptor.

I had to mount the carb backwards, the throttle cable and the brake booster can't be in the same place.