So I've been trying different types of gas in my 64 with a strong 292 motor to see if I can find out what my truck like best but she seems to run the same on anything I put in the tank. I've tried everything from the cheapest stuff I could get find to mid-grade, premium, regular ethonal free, and right now is regular ethonal free with a octane booster. What kind of gas does everyone else run in their truck?

 

Some states non ethanol gas is virtually non existent while there are some such as Oklahoma and Arkansas where I live, it is abundant. Regular has always worked fine for me. Sounds like you are finding non ethanol which is the important first step.

 

I use Gasbuddy GasBuddy.com - Find Low Gas Prices in the USA and Canada and buy the cheapest gas on the corner. I like you see no difference.


John

 

Unless you've performed significant milling or installed domed pistons, you are not going to be much over 8.8:1 on a 292. That would require the highest compression factory heads there were, ecz-G. If you do not have those, then compression will be even lower and that is probably why it runs fine on every grade.

 

I'd agree with the above with the caveat that most people are not using 50 year old pickups as daily drivers. So while not really octane related per se, it's important to take some steps with an eye towards preventing the fuel from souring and turning to varnish. Stay away from ethanol. Keep the fuel tank full as practicable and the truck out of direct sunlight and avoid wide temp swings and use a fuel stabilizer.

Have used both PRI-G and Stabil and they seem to work at least for 1-2 years when installed at time of fuel purchase. Storing fuel that contains no ethanol is best. (Well, driving the truck often is best!)

One of the nice things about Y blocks in later years especially is their ability to run on crappy or substandard fuels. 8.0-1 compression, is why. They will also tolerate a lot of initial advance without complaint and run good.

If you really dial the timing advance in carefully you'll start to notice the difference and knocking/pinging can become an issue with the cheaper stuff. In fact it's likely you're leaving at least some performance (such as it is) on the table if you can't tell any difference in fuels. I tune for mid grade and this leaves some allowance for a bad tank of fuel.

Premium fuel - high octane, is basically useless unless the timing is advanced enough in order to take advantage of it. I don't care much for ethanol fuel though and avoid it because, these old trucks don't seem to care for it either. You'll have to do a little homework to find good ethanol-free gas because blenders use etoh as both oxygenate (replacing MTBE, which was banned) and as an octane booster. It's not unheard of to find up to 30% actual ethanol being dispensed from pumps labeled 10%. Not good. I have found that an almost full tank of pure gasoline stores fairly well if truck is garaged. Be sure to allow a little room for expansion.

 

I buy only ethanol free premium and run it in my '66 along with all my small engines. The 2010 F150 4x4 gets regular unleaded.

 

The best fuel to use in any engine that is going to sit idle for a few months at a time is 100 Low Lead AV-GAS. Around here it's about $4.75 a gallon right now. It never goes bad. If it were rated the same way as car gas it would be about 91 octane. It also has 1/2 gram of lead per gallon. I've been using it in stored equipment for years and haven't had to take apart a gummed up carburetor since I started using the stuff.

 

Is ethanol gas (10%) bad for the older engines? Mine is driven often, but not daily.

 

The ethanol is bad for any rubber parts in the system. I use 94 in my wheezy 352 not for the octane but because it has no alcohol. Same for my small motors. 2012 Rav4 gets 87 with 10% alcohol.
Eric

 

It's not compatible with certain vintage carburetor alloys either. Have driven E85 flex fuel vehicles, btw, and it doesn't seem to work all that well there either. It will burn, but really needs an engine and fuel system designed to use it and take advantage of it. Too many compromises associated. Variable compression might make it work, I guess.

Anyway, alcohol laced fuel is worth avoiding for certain applications. Not saying I like pointing this out, notice where I call home right in corn country.

 

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

good place to start for ethanol free gas. Not any stations near me, which sucks.

 

My truck actually is my daily driver so I don't worry much about it sitting long. I have to admit that I do notice the slightest improvement in the way my motor runs when using ethonal free but it may also just be my imagination. Is a lead additive/substitute a good idea?

 

Brother, spend as much money as you want if it makes you happy. Necessary is a different term.


John

 

I have to wholeheartedly agree with that! People spend thousands extra on performance stuff, aftermarket wheels and then comes $5000-up paint jobs. Me, I'm happy with all Ford, bone stock and Maaco.

 

To be fair people have long been admonished they have to use it, or have hardened valve seats installed.