Grade of Gas

[redbox]

In all the cars I have been mostly running 93 octane with 10% ethanol. Some of the marinas around are selling 87 octane without ethanol.

Looking for what everyone thinks as far what is the best.

Thanks,
Steve

[larkregal62]

Personally, I would rather run the lower octane non ethanol product. Unless you have a high performance engine \, I don't think you will experience any knock problems. I personally feel that the detrimental effects of the ethanol are far worse than the effects of the lower octane fuels in most of our Studebakers. (and other old cars, boats, and small engines) Octane boost is readily available at Dollar Tree stores for only ONE DOLLAR Gordon

[studegary]

From your list of cars, you may need the higher octane. You could try a couple of tankfulls and see if there is any knocking or degradation in performance. That 87 is the rating for regular gas, not even mid-grade.

Someone mentioned octane booster additive. Isn't that just putting alcohol back in?

The fuel in the marinas may not have the same additive package as fuel for cars.

One of my cars calls for 91 octane. I was using high test (91-93 octane). When the price went above $4 per gallon, I dropped back to mid-grade. Since it is a newer car, the computer adjusted and there was no knock/ping. The last tank, I went back to high test. There was a noticeable improvement in performance.

[Hawklover]

Gordon, you realize that any product sold in a Dollar Tree that claims to be an octaine booster is for all intents & purposes snake oil:-( infusing TEL into my R-1 Avanti especially during the summer heat is the only thing that keeps it from pinging.....this proven over the last thirty years.

Personally, I would rather run the lower octane non ethanol product. Unless you have a high performance engine \, I don't think you will experience any knock problems. I personally feel that the detrimental effects of the ethanol are far worse than the effects of the lower octane fuels in most of our Studebakers. (and other old cars, boats, and small engines) Octane boost is readily available at Dollar Tree stores for only ONE DOLLAR Gordon

[larkregal62]

Gary. yes I think it's a type of alcohol. I am not a chemist, however, this octane boost is Methonal, not ethanol. It does not appear to cause any of the negative effects that I have had with ethanol in my marine units. I do not use it in my cars, as I do not experience problems with them such as knock or ping-only vapor lock, and I have found the same solution for that which was shared in TW two months ago--1 pint of Diesel fuel per tank full to mainly solve that problem . Hawk lover, here is the website for the company that manufactures the "snake oil". It is an American company based in West Long Beach, New Jersey. They seem to manufacture many other "snake oils" at very reasonable prices. I have used the injector cleaner in my modern cars, and using it periodically seems to improve my mileage when it begins to diminish. I am only sharing my experiences--the op can decide for himself. BTW, maybe I'm dense, but I don't know what TEL is. Please enlighten me. Gordon

[Hawklover]

Gordon when I say "snake oil" I utilize the word in a euphemistic fashion. Indeed in over thirty years, I have never found one of these "miracle" products to actually do as the label claims.......and that would be to lift the RM/2 octane number of the fuel already reposing in the gas tank. TEL is just a short form for the word Tetra-Ethyl Lead, and at the present time I know of only one source of TEL in a can, when those stocks are exhausted, then that will be it. When that day arrives I will either de-tune my Avanti by the installation of low compression heads and or change of pistons.....or sell the car. FYI, back in the day of Sunoco 260 and Amoco lead free high test, many times I would use the "lead free leader" in the Avanti.......Amoco touted this for years....instead of TEL Amoco utilized a secret blend of "aromatics" to achieve that which TEL routinely accomplished.

Gary. yes I think it's a type of alcohol. I am not a chemist, however, this octane boost is Methonal, not ethanol. It does not appear to cause any of the negative effects that I have had with ethanol in my marine units. I do not use it in my cars, as I do not experience problems with them such as knock or ping-only vapor lock, and I have found the same solution for that which was shared in TW two months ago--1 pint of Diesel fuel per tank full to mainly solve that problem . Hawk lover, here is the website for the company that manufactures the "snake oil". It is an American company based in West Long Beach, New Jersey. They seem to manufacture many other "snake oils" at very reasonable prices. I have used the injector cleaner in my modern cars, and using it periodically seems to improve my mileage when it begins to diminish. I am only sharing my experiences--the op can decide for himself. BTW, maybe I'm dense, but I don't know what TEL is. Please enlighten me. Gordon

[Corvanti]

i'd suggest going with non-ethanol gas on your older vehicles - it also helps keep the rubber parts through out the fuel system intact. i see one here listed in your town, and maybe more that are nearby:

http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=MD

[TWChamp]

I agree that no ethanol will go into my older cars nor any of my small engines, if I can help it. Unfortunately while traveling out of state I will get stuck having to buy crap gas at times. I also add 4 ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil to each 10 gallons of gas.

As far as snake oil, in the 80's I bought an Olds Cutlass cheap because the engine sounded like it had a rod bearing out. I drove to the store and put in a can of Sea Foam and before I drove the 5 miles home, the engine was quiet. It unstuck a hydraulic lifter. It's also great to stabilize fuel that sets over the winter.

[Corvanti]

agree about Seafoam - great stuff. i've used it the fuel side on the '51 in the gas tank and straight thru the fuel injection intake on the '89 Reatta i had. unless you live in the country, it's best to use a straight shot thru a carb or f.i. at night where nobody will see the smoke coming out the exhaust.

[bezhawk]

I seriously doubt anyone anywhere can legally purchase TEL for any reason.

[Hawklover]

Brad, PM me and I will give you the information..........and yes it is perfectly legal.......I have not been arrested by the TEL police:-)

I seriously doubt anyone anywhere can legally purchase TEL for any reason.

[63 R2 Hawk]

I occasionally run 100LL avgas in my Hawk, runs best with about 50/50 100LL and 87 octane non-contaminated gas. Avgas is running about $5.20/gal around here. I use the avgas in all my small motor stuff too, it doesn't break down like modern pump gas does and I can store it all winter without issues.

[Skip Lackie]

Lots of additives will prevent pre-ignition in gasoline, but TEL may have been the only one specifically designed for that purpose. Most FLAPS octane boosters sold today contain an ether, which have not been shown to cause fuel system component deterioration.