Fuel, octane, etc.

cogaritis · July 28th, 2009, 03:04 PM

I don't have a lot of time to do research atm (at work) but this thought ran through my head so I wanted to ask you guys.

I know gasoline has changed a lot in the past years. Since I am trying to find a stock 1969 442 (engine included, of course) I was wondering if the gasoline you pump out of the stations now is suitable for running the older cars?

I believe the #s refer to the octane level, yes? For example, 87, 89, 91? I'm not sure if those are correct (I don't really pay attention, I pump the cheapest stuff in my current car 2004 chevy classic).

Was gasoline leaded in 1969? Were the cars designed to run on it? Etc.

I'm sure I can read a lot about this in the wiki, but a quick search on the forums didn't result in much (though I may have just overlooked it). If these types of questions have already been answered, please just link the thread and I'll read there.

Thank you very much!

Dustin

jensenracing77 · July 28th, 2009, 03:34 PM

69 would have ran on leaded gas. you can add marvel mystery oil to the gas for the lubrication of the valves and seats. as for the octane, if you have 9.5 and higher compression you will need the higher octane also.

BIGJERR · July 28th, 2009, 06:42 PM

Iam running 89 on the street in a 9.1 455...........If Iam going to spray it I go with 93.........Jerr

wolfman98 · July 29th, 2009, 06:22 AM

I have an original 1969-98 convertible with the 455. I am not sure what the octane levels were in the fuel back in 69 but I was driving around 1974 and remember in 1980 putting hi-test in my 66 Chev Impala SS 327ci 350hsp. At that time I could get fuel around 103 but did not run it all the time.Mid level fuel was close to 100 octane so I have been adding an octane booster to my fuel as well as lead substitute to keep valves lubricated.Around here lead substitute is hard to find since many places have stopped carrying it. Octane boosters are a dime a dozen and it would be nice if you could find a report on which ones are the best and how much they actually raise the octane levels. What is everybody else using for octane booster?

big man · August 5th, 2009, 11:55 PM

I would like to read some opinions on this also. I have a motor that I'm getting ready to get back and it's a little over 10 compression. I'm hoping my gas here does it justice? Most I have seen around town is 93 octane.

wolfman98 · August 6th, 2009, 06:04 AM

Running it on 93 octane would be just fine and it should work well.You are getting ready to get it back? what did you have done to it?

Olds64 · August 6th, 2009, 08:15 AM

In the movie The Army of Darkness the hero runs his 73 Olds Delta 88 on lamp oil.

ijasond · August 6th, 2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olds64

In the movie The Army of Darkness the hero runs his 73 Olds Delta 88 on lamp oil.

Good to see another Evil Dead fan on here.
I was watching the show Burn Notice the other day and all of the sudden I realized, it was Bruce Campbell!
What exactly is the octane rating for lamp oil anyway??

Olds64 · August 6th, 2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

What exactly is the octane rating for lamp oil anyway??

Since octane rating is a fuel's resistance to detonation I wonder if lamp oil would be high or low octante? I would think high... Lamp oil doesn't smell really bad of hydrocarbons the way gasoline or diesel fuel does.

Oldsguy · August 6th, 2009, 10:45 AM

About the lubrication issue and lead. I think most modern fuels have added lubricants in the place of lead (since lead is a no no now) so I really don't think using a lead additive would be beneficial, just redundant.

Olds64 · August 6th, 2009, 10:49 AM

I agree Oldsguy. If you are having the heads rebuilt then go ahead and add hardened valve seats, otherwise, just run standard fuel.

wolfman98 · August 6th, 2009, 11:57 AM

where I usually fill up they have on the pump "tactrol" whatever that is?

J-(Chicago) · August 6th, 2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfman98

where I usually fill up they have on the pump "tactrol" whatever that is?

Tactrol is just another so called engine cleaner.
The formulation of Tactrol is proprietary to Petro-Canada, and they probably aren't going to tell what it is. They'll just tell you that it's great.

wolfman98 · August 7th, 2009, 06:00 AM

So it's like KFC's secret of 11 herbs and spices

would be nice to know just what the heck it is made up of

no way of knowing what it does for your motor , just what they tell you. All their levels of fuel has it regular, mid-level and hi-test. The higher octane fuel the more Tactrol it has.

snowballs442 · August 7th, 2009, 06:19 AM

Is it just me or does this happen to others? It seems that octane booster bought over the counter drys up the gaskets and the rubber seals in the carburetor quicker that normal. Is that correct?

Oldsguy · August 7th, 2009, 06:21 AM

Don't know about Canada, you guys up north are in freezing weather all year round aren't you? (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Seriously, in the States we have fuels formulated for the different regions and weather conditions and supposedly the difference is in additives which make the fuel burn better for that climate, whatever "better" means. I think there are proprietary additives as well which every retailer touts as the best but I really don't think it makes that much difference. I have always purchased my fuel wherever it was convenient or cheapest or both and never noticed any difference.

Olds64 · August 7th, 2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

I have always purchased my fuel wherever it was convenient or cheapest or both and never noticed any difference.

Same here.

I know there are additives put in fuel like ethanol and MTBEs that are supposed to raise octane level. Ethanol is a green conspiracy and MTBEs turned out to be bad news. Didn't California say MTBEs cause cancer?

wolfman98 · August 7th, 2009, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Didn't California say MTBEs cause cancer?

WHAT!!! YOUR NOT SUPPOSED TO DRINK THE GAS

Olds64 · August 7th, 2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

WHAT!!! YOUR NOT SUPPOSED TO DRINK THE GAS

But I saw it on the movie Gone in 60 Seconds with Nicholas Cage. That hot chick drinks gasoline!

cogaritis · August 7th, 2009, 07:12 AM

Doesn't California say everything causes cancer? lol jk, I had to.

wolfman98 · August 7th, 2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olds64

But I saw it on the movie Gone in 60 Seconds with Nicholas Cage. That hot chick drinks gasoline!

I wonder if it gave her gas

wouldn't want to light her farts

ijasond · August 7th, 2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olds64

But I saw it on the movie Gone in 60 Seconds with Nicholas Cage. That hot chick drinks gasoline!

Must have been ethanol. down here in the south we've been know to drink that every now and then, but we call it something else.

Olds64 · August 7th, 2009, 10:25 AM

wolfman98 · August 8th, 2009, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ijasond

Must have been ethanol. down here in the south we've been know to drink that every now and then, but we call it something else.

white lightning , hooch , homemade hangover

Pfiffle · August 8th, 2009, 10:40 AM

I go 87-89 octane in my 1976 Cutlass but run super in my 1970 98 (10.25:1) and it runs fine. In a 1969 engine, I would stick to super. It's only a couple bucks more per fill up.
Tom

D Appeldorn · August 11th, 2009, 12:36 PM

but if there is a choise with typ would you choose.

We have in the netherlands the 95 and 98 unledded feul.
And for older cars 98octane with lead substitute.

its stil about a 350 of 68'or 69 like my olds 88 of 69

bulldog · August 11th, 2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldsguy

Don't know about Canada, you guys up north are in freezing weather all year round aren't you?

Thats only in Nova Scotia.Here in Ontario we get at least 30 days of summer.But not all at once.(at least it seems that way)

wolfman98 · August 11th, 2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulldog

Thats only in Nova Scotia.Here in Ontario we get at least 30 days of summer.But not all at once.(at least it seems that way)

Come on now my outdoor freezer melted last month

moleman602 · November 3rd, 2009, 07:26 PM

Octane ratings are calculated differently now than back in the 60's. 87 today is like 91 back then. Just run the lowest octane that won't cause pinging and you'll be fine. Plus stay away if possible from that Ethanol crap.

Danny Boy · November 3rd, 2009, 07:32 PM

Check the Vehicle Emission Control Information sticker on the shroud - it probably says use 91 octane or higher.

70 cutlass s · November 4th, 2009, 05:05 AM

Your 69 should have around 10.25-1 if it hasn't been rebuilt with a lower compression piston. Gas in 69 would have been around 103 to 107 octane. For the best mpg you need to run 91 or better. You might want to run octane booster every once in a while keep your engine running clean. Low octane will hurt it more than anything.

wolfman98 · November 4th, 2009, 05:19 AM

I have a 69 455 with C heads and in the book it recommends using hi-test fuel. So in 1969 what would comparible fuel be today? At the pump hi-test is 91 octane with tactrol addative. I did add an octane booster in my last tank and the car seems to be working better. I could really care less about fuel mileage in my 69 cause I don't drive it very much especially now that the weather sucks.

July 28th, 2009, 03:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
cogaritis Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 63	Fuel, octane, etc. I don't have a lot of time to do research atm (at work) but this thought ran through my head so I wanted to ask you guys. I know gasoline has changed a lot in the past years. Since I am trying to find a stock 1969 442 (engine included, of course) I was wondering if the gasoline you pump out of the stations now is suitable for running the older cars? I believe the #s refer to the octane level, yes? For example, 87, 89, 91? I'm not sure if those are correct (I don't really pay attention, I pump the cheapest stuff in my current car 2004 chevy classic). Was gasoline leaded in 1969? Were the cars designed to run on it? Etc. I'm sure I can read a lot about this in the wiki, but a quick search on the forums didn't result in much (though I may have just overlooked it). If these types of questions have already been answered, please just link the thread and I'll read there. Thank you very much! Dustin

July 28th, 2009, 03:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
jensenracing77 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: brazil indiana Posts: 1,022	69 would have ran on leaded gas. you can add marvel mystery oil to the gas for the lubrication of the valves and seats. as for the octane, if you have 9.5 and higher compression you will need the higher octane also. __________________ 70 Rallye 350 72 Cutlass 00 Silhouette 90 Toronado Trofeo

July 28th, 2009, 06:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
BIGJERR I bleed Oldsmobile Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 285	Iam running 89 on the street in a 9.1 455...........If Iam going to spray it I go with 93.........Jerr __________________ DIE HARD OLDS GUY......EAT SLEEP LIVE....OLDSMOBILE

July 29th, 2009, 06:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
wolfman98 Captain of my ship Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wilmot , Nova Scotia , Canada Posts: 1,301	fuel addative I have an original 1969-98 convertible with the 455. I am not sure what the octane levels were in the fuel back in 69 but I was driving around 1974 and remember in 1980 putting hi-test in my 66 Chev Impala SS 327ci 350hsp. At that time I could get fuel around 103 but did not run it all the time.Mid level fuel was close to 100 octane so I have been adding an octane booster to my fuel as well as lead substitute to keep valves lubricated.Around here lead substitute is hard to find since many places have stopped carrying it. Octane boosters are a dime a dozen and it would be nice if you could find a report on which ones are the best and how much they actually raise the octane levels. What is everybody else using for octane booster?

August 6th, 2009, 06:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
wolfman98 Captain of my ship Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wilmot , Nova Scotia , Canada Posts: 1,301	93 Running it on 93 octane would be just fine and it should work well.You are getting ready to get it back? what did you have done to it?

August 5th, 2009, 11:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
big man Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1	I would like to read some opinions on this also. I have a motor that I'm getting ready to get back and it's a little over 10 compression. I'm hoping my gas here does it justice? Most I have seen around town is 93 octane.

August 6th, 2009, 08:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	In the movie The Army of Darkness the hero runs his 73 Olds Delta 88 on lamp oil. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

August 6th, 2009, 10:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	About the lubrication issue and lead. I think most modern fuels have added lubricants in the place of lead (since lead is a no no now) so I really don't think using a lead additive would be beneficial, just redundant. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

August 6th, 2009, 10:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	I agree Oldsguy. If you are having the heads rebuilt then go ahead and add hardened valve seats, otherwise, just run standard fuel. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

August 6th, 2009, 11:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
wolfman98 Captain of my ship Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wilmot , Nova Scotia , Canada Posts: 1,301	where I usually fill up they have on the pump "tactrol" whatever that is?

August 7th, 2009, 06:00 AM	#14 (permalink)
wolfman98 Captain of my ship Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wilmot , Nova Scotia , Canada Posts: 1,301	So it's like KFC's secret of 11 herbs and spices would be nice to know just what the heck it is made up of no way of knowing what it does for your motor , just what they tell you. All their levels of fuel has it regular, mid-level and hi-test. The higher octane fuel the more Tactrol it has.

August 7th, 2009, 06:19 AM	#15 (permalink)
snowballs442 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 33	another octane question Is it just me or does this happen to others? It seems that octane booster bought over the counter drys up the gaskets and the rubber seals in the carburetor quicker that normal. Is that correct? __________________ 1965 Delta 88 1969 442 1970 Cutlass S W-31 1973 Cutlass S 442 1980 Delta 88 1986 Cutlass Supreme 1988 Cutlass Supreme

August 7th, 2009, 06:21 AM	#16 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	Don't know about Canada, you guys up north are in freezing weather all year round aren't you? (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Seriously, in the States we have fuels formulated for the different regions and weather conditions and supposedly the difference is in additives which make the fuel burn better for that climate, whatever "better" means. I think there are proprietary additives as well which every retailer touts as the best but I really don't think it makes that much difference. I have always purchased my fuel wherever it was convenient or cheapest or both and never noticed any difference. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

August 7th, 2009, 07:12 AM	#20 (permalink)
cogaritis Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 63	Doesn't California say everything causes cancer? lol jk, I had to.

August 7th, 2009, 10:25 AM	#23 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	__________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

August 8th, 2009, 10:40 AM	#25 (permalink)
Pfiffle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 123	I go 87-89 octane in my 1976 Cutlass but run super in my 1970 98 (10.25:1) and it runs fine. In a 1969 engine, I would stick to super. It's only a couple bucks more per fill up. Tom __________________ 1976 Cutlass S Centennial 1970 Ninety Eight LS

August 11th, 2009, 12:36 PM	#26 (permalink)
D Appeldorn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Emmen Drenthe (Netherlands) Posts: 46	but if there is a choise with typ would you choose. We have in the netherlands the 95 and 98 unledded feul. And for older cars 98octane with lead substitute. its stil about a 350 of 68'or 69 like my olds 88 of 69

November 3rd, 2009, 07:26 PM	#29 (permalink)
moleman602 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 8	Octane ratings are calculated differently now than back in the 60's. 87 today is like 91 back then. Just run the lowest octane that won't cause pinging and you'll be fine. Plus stay away if possible from that Ethanol crap.

November 3rd, 2009, 07:32 PM	#30 (permalink)
Danny Boy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hoffman Estates, IL Posts: 12	Check the Vehicle Emission Control Information sticker on the shroud - it probably says use 91 octane or higher.

November 4th, 2009, 05:05 AM	#31 (permalink)
70 cutlass s Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Elizabethtown,KY Posts: 242	Your 69 should have around 10.25-1 if it hasn't been rebuilt with a lower compression piston. Gas in 69 would have been around 103 to 107 octane. For the best mpg you need to run 91 or better. You might want to run octane booster every once in a while keep your engine running clean. Low octane will hurt it more than anything.

November 4th, 2009, 05:19 AM	#32 (permalink)
wolfman98 Captain of my ship Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wilmot , Nova Scotia , Canada Posts: 1,301	I have a 69 455 with C heads and in the book it recommends using hi-test fuel. So in 1969 what would comparible fuel be today? At the pump hi-test is 91 octane with tactrol addative. I did add an octane booster in my last tank and the car seems to be working better. I could really care less about fuel mileage in my 69 cause I don't drive it very much especially now that the weather sucks. __________________ Now to keep her clean!! 52 Chev Styleline Deluxe (sold Nov.9th) 69 nighty-eight convertible 90 astro all wheel LT 01 TL80 New Holland 07 Colorado LT

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Running 87 octane in 307's	Joeypete	Small Blocks	6	July 14th, 2009 02:27 PM
Fuel Delivery?	onetogofast	Small Blocks	2	May 1st, 2009 06:06 PM
Fuel Pump ID	Bobert	General Questions	2	March 11th, 2009 05:23 PM
Octane use in lead gas motor	Redog	Small Blocks	3	April 9th, 2008 01:24 PM
93 octane mandatory??	labrats804	Cutlass	2	July 5th, 2007 08:55 AM