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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 08:48 AM
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Default premium or regular gas
Just purchased a 80 l48 350 4 speed with 40k miles

Very stock and original

Question: what type of gas should I use - regular or premium?

Thanks
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 09:27 AM
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Regular. It will like premium, but will run on regular.
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 09:34 AM
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The low compression engines of the era run on regular all day.
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 09:34 AM
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I always run premium in my 73 and 64. They just seem to like it better.
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 11:02 AM
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What does the owners manual say?
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 11:03 AM
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I run regular in my '81
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
What does the owners manual say?
Use "unleaded"

thanks
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by oldsarge
I always run premium in my 73 and 64. They just seem to like it better.
Whole 'nother story there Sarge. Higher compression engines, and I'm sure they both have an appetite for higher octane, particularly the '64, born way before the advent of unleaded gas and that moonshine crap they CALL gas. My '78 burns anything I pour in it, but it really likes ethanol-free 89.
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by bwestlake
Use "unleaded"

thanks
No mention of octane?
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by pacecar620
Whole 'nother story there Sarge. Higher compression engines, and I'm sure they both have an appetite for higher octane, particularly the '64, born way before the advent of unleaded gas and that moonshine crap they CALL gas. My '78 burns anything I pour in it, but it really likes ethanol-free 89.
GM recommended 87 octane for '73 Corvettes. Anything higher is a waste.
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 11:55 AM
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Do you like to save money or throw it away? Premium fuel in a low compression engine is just wastful....
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
Do you like to save money or throw it away? Premium fuel in a low compression engine is just wastful....


It's about optimum detonation. Lower compression will handle a lower octane. If it ain't pingin', it ain't stinkin'.
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Old Apr 3, 2014 | 12:47 PM
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I tried some regular in my 72 LT-1 with a 9.0 c/r. It ran fine under normal driving, but would ping when I got on it. Back to premium.

Might try some mid grade to see how that does (just for grins).

Will stick with premium for the long run.
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