C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Big bloc and unleaded fuel

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-04-2007, 03:14 PM
  #1  
nicoduc
Intermediate
Thread Starter
 
nicoduc's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Big bloc and unleaded fuel

I've recently bought a 1974 corvette with a big bloc (matching numbers) and i would like to know if i can use unleaded fuel.
Old 12-04-2007, 03:25 PM
  #2  
BigBlockk
Drifting
 
BigBlockk's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2004
Location: North Bend Ohio
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Yes, they had the hardened valve seats in them by then. I drove my '70 LS-5 for 6 years and it never hurt it.

BigBlockk

Later.....
Old 12-04-2007, 05:10 PM
  #3  
longbros
Burning Brakes
 
longbros's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2004
Location: Kearneysville West Virginia
Posts: 922
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Bigblockk is right, you can use it with no problems.
Old 12-05-2007, 04:12 PM
  #4  
nicoduc
Intermediate
Thread Starter
 
nicoduc's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Since 1970, 1971, 1972..... we can use unleaded fuel?

In big blocs and small bloc?
Old 12-05-2007, 04:39 PM
  #5  
FKING1
Safety Car
 
FKING1's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2003
Location: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Posts: 3,814
Received 105 Likes on 78 Posts

Default

Several studies report that unleaded fuel in the older lead gas engines does no harm to the valve seats or other parts. I have run unleaded 94 in my 70 L46 for several years.
Old 12-05-2007, 07:54 PM
  #6  
norvalwilhelm
Race Director
 
norvalwilhelm's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2000
Location: Waterloo ontario Canada
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts

Default

You can run unleaded in ANY of the old cars without a problem as long as you are NOT pulling a trailer. Only under really hard working conditions do you run the risk of exhuast valve errosion without lead for lubriacation.
So yes it will not hurt your bigblock.
Old 12-05-2007, 08:18 PM
  #7  
Chris Farrer
Burning Brakes
 
Chris Farrer's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Hobart Tasmania
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I use premium unleaded 96% and also add flashlube. I realize I don't need to with hardened seats but I want to give the original engine every possible chance at long life. Found that she didn't like running on regular unleaded as much and NOT Ultra, I'm no expert but it seemed to burn too clean.
Old 12-06-2007, 08:59 AM
  #8  
capevettes
Race Director
Support Corvetteforum!
 
capevettes's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: Cape Cod, Mass.
Posts: 18,760
Received 4,543 Likes on 2,159 Posts
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist

Default

I have been running unleaded premium in my 61,65 and 68 big block for years with no problems. The notion that without hardened valve seats unleaded fuel will cause problems is a long perpetuated MYTH. The only difference I noticed when they did away withh leaded fuel was that my spark plugs burned cleaner and lasted longer. As far as octane: An octane rating of 93 today is similar to a high 90's rating back in the 60's.

Get notified of new replies

To Big bloc and unleaded fuel




Quick Reply: Big bloc and unleaded fuel



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:29 PM.