Well I don't know what the deal is with these inline 6's.... I had a 250 with a 4 barrel and I got close to 22 with that. This 235 is stock, with a 3 speed stick. solid lifters.. I even changed gears in the year end.. I took out the 3:70 and put in a 3:36/ It runs down the road better, but i still get rotten milage..Now that someone has mentioned compression, That just might be it.. I am sure this thing has more miles on it then the odometer says. I 'll give it a check and see.