69bones

Someone told me Wawa carried ethanol free gas. I was disappointed it was 89 and not 92 octane.

Which would you use?

I have a 10:1 compression and Edelbrock RPM package.

Mike Ward

The lowest octane fuel that doesn't induce detonation. Couldn't care less whether it's E10 or not. (Flame suit on)

MakoJoe

I would use the Ethanol Free fuel instead of the ethanol fuels if possible. 3 things happen with Ethanol fuels, Rust in the fuel tank, very hard on older rubber gaskets and seal in the carb and attracts water in the fuel tank causing other problems. StaBil just came with a preventative this year called StaBil 360 which will prevent water in the tank and rust.

I have used StaBil for many years to stabilize the fuel so it does not go bad and also used HEET in my tanks when I put the to bed for the winter. Sounds more like a commercial now StaBil 360 will prevent corrosion but you still need regular StaBil to keep the fuel fresh in long term sitting. I would like them to do a product that does both for classic cars.

http://www.sta-bil360.com/

69bones

Since the rebuild was in 02 I think do I need to worry about the gaskets?

I live in Florida so I have been driving all 'winter'

MakoJoe

But since you live in FLA you have to really worry about water in the tank that Ethanol fuel attracts. This will be a choice you make use an additive and higher octane fuel or Ethanol Free Fuel.


Do not know about the gaskets but if you bought a rebuild kit for the carb that is compatible with Ethanol fuels you should not have a problem. When I went to buy my Rochester Rebuild kit for my 1977 QuadraJet carb I made sure it was compatible with Ethanol Fuels and said it on the packaging.

69bones

I used to add stabil to my motorcycles because with my short rides they could make if for a couple of months sometimes on one tank of gas.

I can't seem to take a ride without burning up 1/4 tank with this vette so no danger of g as getting old. I do have a hard time staying out of the pedal for the whole ride

Mike Ward

No you don't. Pretty much all gaskets, hoses etc. for cars made in the last 30 years are ethanol resistant.

As for water collection causing the sky to fall and massive corrosion, here's a look inside my gas tank that's seen nothing but E10 for the last twenty years. The car sits for six months a year during the winter, no stabilizer added. Adding Heet or similar is redundant as the ethanol itself does an excellent job of absorbing moisture (if any).

MakoJoe

I know the feeling I cannot stay out of the Secondary Carb intakes on my Corvette either. I rev the thing up to at least 3000 rpms between shift points and the shift enhancer kit on the THM350 transmission helps to a lot to do this. It will not shift on hard acceleration unless I am at above 3000 rpms and each gear throws me back into the seat If I treat it nicely it will shift at about 2500 rpms I can get up to 20 MPG but I end up only getting 15 to 16 MPG per tank

69bones

So far my conclusion is that I will save my money and buy e10 gas. Also might switch to 89 and see how she runs.

3JsVette

Same thing for me.
My cars sometimes sit for months and I have no issues either.
My snow blower sits for 9 months sometimes more and starts right up.

mk's78

Hello 69bones,

I'd just like to know if All Wawa's offer the same non ethanol fuel????? Or is it only available in certain areas????

Cordially,

mk'78

69bones

They do not carry it at all stations I asked at the station while I was there which ones had to and the manager said I would have to check the site. They called it boat fuel on one of their advertisements at the store.

69bones

I just checked their site...

http://www.wawa.com/WawaWeb/StoreLocator.aspx

Go to the locator page linked above. You can select the option to see only stores with the ethanol free fuel available.

74Ken

Just my two cents here, but ethanol screwed up 5 motors in one season 2 years ago. I had 3 boat motors and 2 Sea-Doo motors out because of ethanol.

After the mechanic pulled my 150 merc's carbs apart he showed me all the gunk built up because of ethanol. I learned my lesson.

If you run a Carburetor, use ethanol free gas. If you have fuel injection, it doesn't matter.
I only use Shell V-power now for all my toys and put whatever is on sale in my trucks.

Ken

Mike Ward

The reasons why boats and seadoos and garden tools can be damaged by ethanol are well documented and have nothing to do with cars.

glen242

FWIW, I run BP 89 octane in my 10.30 static CR 383 with aluminum heads, without problems. I do have a bigger cam (CC XE274) with a later closing intake, 64* ABDC.

taylor34

Ethanol typically gets 3 to 10% less mpg than regular fuel, so unless the ethanol is 10% cheaper there's no reason to even consider it (usually the newer cars handle it better).

E85 is even worse, see:

http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/...ison-test.html

I wouldn't recommend buying Ethanol ever if you have a choice in your classic car. I don't ever buy it for my normal car either, it's not that I don't support the environment but if I have to burn 10% more fuel plus jack up the price of corn (which jacks up everything else food related), I'm against it. They make it from something besides food I'm all for it, until then no.

learje

holley blamed this on ethanol AND a batch of improperly mixed metals. they did replace the carb...

im with taylor, id rather pay more for gas and less for food

69bones

Thanks Glen..

Taylor .. If my speedometer worked I could measure the impact on my mileage. I need to work on that.

69bones

Can this be cleaned out or is it toast?