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If it's a stock L-48 or L-82 engine then regular unleaded is what it was designed for. If you hear pinging, check the tune first. If not solved try 90 or 92 octane.
Thank you for your comments. It's an L-48. We are currently using ethanol free, 92 octane. I don't know compression ratio, tune and Box stock?
My question is, would using ethanol free 92 octane gas cause an odor to come through the engine into the passenger area? We had it in storage for several decades and had it repaired last year so it has a new gas tank, seals, catalytic convertor, fuel pump, hoses, bearings, fuel pump, and a whole list of parts replaced. The odor seemed a little stronger the other day when I drove it. We live in Minnesota if that makes a difference. Maybe it just needs more air fresheners
Thanks in advance!
There are virtually thousands upon thousands of old classic cars driving around perfectly fine on plain ol' gas every day.
Your Vette is no exception and will be just fine on regular gas.
Ethanol Free is a waste of money with one exception:
The last full tank / fill-up of the season before storage.
There are virtually thousands upon thousands of old classic cars driving around perfectly fine on plain ol' gas every day.
Your Vette is no exception and will be just fine on regular gas.
Ethanol Free is a waste of money with one exception:
The last full tank / fill-up of the season before storage.
Agreed. Ethanol free doesn't attract moisture; additionally premium grade gas has a much longer storage life than regular — something like 3 months vs. 9 months. In my area ethanol-free is only offered in premium grade.
Rather than ethanol-free all year, I am bucking my past habits this year by using top-tier fuels (~$4.25/gal) with a final ethanol-free tank (~$5.60/gal) at the end of the season. From what I understand, the top-tier fuels likely have better detergent additives than the non-brand local stations. The top-tier cost is much less than ethanol-free, so I feel it's a slight upgrade in quality over the offerings at Gus's Gas'n'Go while saving a bunch of change.
Last edited by barkingrats; Jul 10, 2025 at 12:33 PM.
Thank you for your comments. It's an L-48. We are currently using ethanol free, 92 octane. I don't know compression ratio, tune and Box stock? My question is, would using ethanol free 92 octane gas cause an odor to come through the engine into the passenger area? We had it in storage for several decades and had it repaired last year so it has a new gas tank, seals, catalytic convertor, fuel pump, hoses, bearings, fuel pump, and a whole list of parts replaced. The odor seemed a little stronger the other day when I drove it. We live in Minnesota if that makes a difference. Maybe it just needs more air fresheners
Thanks in advance!
Odor as in raw fuel? There's a charcoal canister below the brake master cylinder/booster toward the fender vent that is supposed to collect fuel vapors from the tank and later burn them in the engine. If liquid fuel gets into this canister or it's not purging vapors correctly, you'll have strong fuel odors. Does your canister have hoses connected to all of its ports and is there a hose (or 2) going from the lid to the carburetor? Your '78 has a somewhat newer design for this system than my '72 so perhaps others can chime in on what to check other than the hoses.
Last edited by barkingrats; Jul 11, 2025 at 07:39 PM.
I run non-ox in all my small engines and my 3 hot rods. 87 octane in my wife's and my daily drivers. Around here 91 octane is about 60 cents a gallon more than 87.
Don't put many miles on the hot rods so the cost is not a big deal.
The real concern here seems to be if one type of fuel will cause more of a smell in the car. If I read that correctly anyway.
Answer , No.
A leak will cause a fuel smell.