Is poor fuel mileage the sign of a failing Hitachi? I just got my 84 4wd wagon going and only made it 145 miles on a tank. What gives. I'm getting parts for a full tuneup and a seafoam treatment. but am I just denying the fact that I may have a failing carb?

A carb rebuild never hurt anybody. Well, maybe some people It could be a number of things, but I would get a rebuild kit and check all of your vacuum hoses or do as others will say and go for a Weber conversion. Easy and WELL worth it.

Rebuilding the original Hitachi is not worth your while. Best fix is to replace the Hitachi with a weber 32/36 model.