What octane for a 239 flattie?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 02-16-2003, 05:56 PM
KEITHS 1950 F68's Avatar
KEITHS 1950 F68
KEITHS 1950 F68 is offline
Junior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question What octane for a 239 flattie?

Hey guys and gals;

Should I be putting the really expensive gas, or the really, really expensive gas in my flathead 239?

I haven't done anything about the no lead thing yet; but apart from that, should I be burning premium or regular fuel? Anybody with any suggestions about what works for them?

Thanks.
 
  #2  
Old 02-17-2003, 12:09 AM
mtflat's Avatar
mtflat
mtflat is online now
Lead Driver

Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Kalispell, MT
Posts: 6,489
Received 331 Likes on 255 Posts
What octane for a 239 flattie?

If you're running a 52 or 53 without hardened valve seats you might want to use a lead substitute, but otherwise it'll run on anything.

I just returned from a 550 mile trip and ran 85.5 octane regular unleaded with no problems including pulling hard up mountain passes with about 500 lbs in the box.

Unless your motor is built for performance - high comp heads or radical cam, you should be good with regular pump gas. IMHO
 
  #3  
Old 02-17-2003, 01:28 AM
KEITHS 1950 F68's Avatar
KEITHS 1950 F68
KEITHS 1950 F68 is offline
Junior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What octane for a 239 flattie?

Tim;

Thanks; I'll go with the 'cheap' ($0.83Can per Canadian gal) stuff.

Keith.
 
  #4  
Old 02-19-2003, 08:02 AM
STEVE1103's Avatar
STEVE1103
STEVE1103 is offline
Senior User
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Lakeville, PA
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What octane for a 239 flattie?

My 53 Merc seems to run better with the 87, costs a little more than the 85 but does eliminate the stumble I was getting.
 
  #5  
Old 02-27-2003, 05:45 PM
41Clay's Avatar
41Clay
41Clay is offline
Elder User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: McAlester, OK
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What octane for a 239 flattie?

As I hear it, you are subbposed to use the octain in occordance with your compression, 8.5:1 compression=85 octane gas. Since the falttys came with about 6.5:1 compression the cheapest would be fine, unless you upped the compression and timming (alot) then the higher octane would be wise.

Clayton
 
  #6  
Old 02-28-2003, 02:42 PM
KEITHS 1950 F68's Avatar
KEITHS 1950 F68
KEITHS 1950 F68 is offline
Junior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What octane for a 239 flattie?

Clayton; Sounds like a good formula. Thanks......Keith.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
abe
Y-Block V8 (239, 272, 292, 312, 317, 341, 368)
2
12-25-2015 05:33 PM
keyvangarcia239
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
10-19-2014 07:46 AM
keyvangarcia239
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
5
10-06-2013 04:56 PM
john fin
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
06-20-2008 05:19 PM
NJ239Y
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
08-24-2003 05:22 AM



Quick Reply: What octane for a 239 flattie?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:14 PM.