Small block mileage

I'd a thought the 273 would be a mileage getter vs larger 318's and such but it aint. Every change in heads/intake/etc never made a single mpg difference for me. 13's town/highway.
I see people get 17 with a 273 and am a little jealous!
Hmm, my 273/904 got 20, and my 273/833 got 22 if I kept my foot out of it. all stock 4bbl. on both, and with standard size tires with 3.23 gears.