Are you swapping big inch to little inch?

These no reason you can't get decent mileage out of larger displacement especially if were talking similar performance, aero weight speed driving habits have a larger roll in mileage. And in a summer play toy it's hard to recoup the cost in the quest for better Mileage other than a good tune up most don't bother with the math usually it's cheaper to just live with it.
As said in the OE post, a lot of stroker combos of rod which I can’t think of a singular stroker with a small cam and tall gear being built here yet.

“Oh yea guys! I have a 408 that gets 22 mpg with that factory dual plane and TQ! The real secret is the Isky “Mile-O-more” cam I have in there. What a broomstick!
I can’t wait to try the OD trans and 2.45 gears with my 3.15X15’s!!!!!
:rofl:

What’s decent mileage from a stock ‘70-440?