Gasoline questions
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 983
From: Tri Cities, TN
Valve seat recession is usually only a problem in older engines that are subjected to high combustion temperatures. Such as towing heavy loads uphill or a lot of wide open throttle. Most of these old trucks will never experience those conditions. So as long as it doesn't sound like there are marbles exploding in the combustion chamber when you hammer it. It should be just fine on regular unleaded.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 94
From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
Also be aware that the stations providing 100% gasoline (listed earlier at post #11, by 'svolpone') are NOT all the same octane fuels. In MI, the stations offering 100% gasoline range from 87 to 110 octane. So, price will also likely vary widely too.
BarnieTrk
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 773
Likes: 310
If you do the math there is only 3.8% difference in the amount of energy in pure gas and gas with 10% ethanol. So the claims you read on the internet of "my car gets 10-15% worse mileage with 10% ethanol" can't be true. I have run both in my daily driver '64 VW with dual Dellorto carbs and can't tell a difference in the way it runs. It actually got it's best-ever mileage (36.25 mpg) running 10% ethanol.
As long as it doesn't sit in the tank too long it'll be fine. Ethanol will absorb water, so don't fill up and let it sit for more than 2-3 weeks. I fill up once a week and haven't had any problems in the last 70,000 miles. I've had the carbs apart a few times and they look new inside still. I'm still on the same Carter electric fuel pump, no issues there.
Most all fuel hose you'll get at parts stores are ethanol compatable- the stuff has been around for decades so it's not like the compaines making the hoses haven't had time to make a compatable product.
As long as it doesn't sit in the tank too long it'll be fine. Ethanol will absorb water, so don't fill up and let it sit for more than 2-3 weeks. I fill up once a week and haven't had any problems in the last 70,000 miles. I've had the carbs apart a few times and they look new inside still. I'm still on the same Carter electric fuel pump, no issues there.
Most all fuel hose you'll get at parts stores are ethanol compatable- the stuff has been around for decades so it's not like the compaines making the hoses haven't had time to make a compatable product.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 94
From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
I hear ya, Astronaut.
I agree that a MAJOR ISSUE is how long to keep fuel around.
I would agree with your recommendation of keeping it no more than 2 to 3 weeks in the tank.
Another issue that is harder to put your finger on, is that I believe fuels supplied from coast to coast are NOT created equally, and as a result do not behave equally. Just as some premium-grade fuels are supplied as 100% gasoline, some are not. I also think some of the our fuels vary in other minor components, which may effect their behavior as well. From the online discussions I've read on tractor sites, chainsaw sites, lawn tractor sites, there seems to be less complaints of fuel issues on the West coast as there are in the North-East states.
For me, any fuel I don't expect to burn up within 30 days, I will make sure I add a fuel additive and if possible, it will get 100% gasoline.
As the saying goes, "Your mileage may vary."
BarnieTrk
I agree that a MAJOR ISSUE is how long to keep fuel around.
I would agree with your recommendation of keeping it no more than 2 to 3 weeks in the tank.
Another issue that is harder to put your finger on, is that I believe fuels supplied from coast to coast are NOT created equally, and as a result do not behave equally. Just as some premium-grade fuels are supplied as 100% gasoline, some are not. I also think some of the our fuels vary in other minor components, which may effect their behavior as well. From the online discussions I've read on tractor sites, chainsaw sites, lawn tractor sites, there seems to be less complaints of fuel issues on the West coast as there are in the North-East states.
For me, any fuel I don't expect to burn up within 30 days, I will make sure I add a fuel additive and if possible, it will get 100% gasoline.
As the saying goes, "Your mileage may vary."
BarnieTrk
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
The price of the fuel is usually the only math people are interested in. The blends in some of the more unscrupulous stations exceed the 10% by quite a bit according to independent analysis. That would explain the mileage discrepancy between real world and paper.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 58
When I have tested premium fuel locally, it is usually around 5% ethanol.
I have not experienced any issues whatsoever with ethanol. No difference in performance or mileage I can detect, though I drive my stuff and it rarely sits.
I have not experienced any issues whatsoever with ethanol. No difference in performance or mileage I can detect, though I drive my stuff and it rarely sits.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
I'll run it but don't want to try and store it particularly. It's just not very stable, the lawn and garden equipment people definitely do not recommend it despite it indirectly keeping them happy (with lots of repair work). I just don't drive the old beast that often so some of the fuel can get old. Now when I talk "old fuel" not talking about 2 or 3 months. 6 months + or even 12 to 18 months old needs to have been treated and stored correctly.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: CNY
I've heard horror stories about what ethanol does, but personally I've never had any issues with it...yet
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
When I took out the fuel tank on the 64 was expecting a mess inside. Not too bad! I did try to avoid ethanol fuel and keep it topped off, use a stabilizer but not too sure how successful that was. Spent a lot of time deployed when younger. Be especially careful with fuel hose, even if ethanol tolerant. After a few years they still look OK, but it just rots from the inside and starts to soak up fuel like a sponge and will split. It's cheap enough it should be replaced every few years.
Truck was garaged though. I'm wondering if maybe it's the direct sunlight during the day and cool nights when a truck is stored outside that might really accelerate fuel "spoilage" in the tank, for lack of a better term. Maybe a garage will buy some time, at least.
On these old trucks there is no vapor recovery system or anything like that so the volatile portions evaporate, and then moisture laden air is also drawn in and condenses in cooler weather at night. Ethanol soaks that right up, eventually forming an emulsion. Phase separation.
Truck was garaged though. I'm wondering if maybe it's the direct sunlight during the day and cool nights when a truck is stored outside that might really accelerate fuel "spoilage" in the tank, for lack of a better term. Maybe a garage will buy some time, at least.
On these old trucks there is no vapor recovery system or anything like that so the volatile portions evaporate, and then moisture laden air is also drawn in and condenses in cooler weather at night. Ethanol soaks that right up, eventually forming an emulsion. Phase separation.
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