I actually found some near me. The octane is 90. Is that enough for our cars which need premium fuel?
Sure. It runs great in my cars. Even with the timing bumped a bit it works.
Here in Colorado, the octane ratings are lower than most other states. Regular is 85, midgrade is 87, and premium is 91. When you do find ethanol-free gas, the octane ratings are either 87 or 91, depending on the station you go to. But the price is similar to premium with ethanol.
One good way to tell, run some.
I need to post my gas storage study pix. I'll have to round them up. Ethanol free did well.
Quote from: Art Director on August 20, 2019, 01:20:47 PM
Here in Colorado, the octane ratings are lower than most other states. Regular is 85, midgrade is 87, and premium is 91. When you do find ethanol-free gas, the octane ratings are either 87 or 91, depending on the station you go to. But the price is similar to premium with ethanol.
You would think with the high altitude in many parts of the state, the octane rating would be higher than most.
A slight bit out of the way but reachable.
The price was 3.30 nice considering premium is 3.15 right now so not too much more.
I think this station has it since it is near Lake Sunapee in NH so boat owners love this stuff. But it is right at a gas pump with the other stuff.
Cumberland Farms is the big retailer of real gas in these parts. There are others, but CF is clean and close. I paid $2.65/gal yesterday. It's 90 octane.
Click the link George. Lot's of stations near you.
https://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=NH
90AKI translates to ~94RON. So, it might be enough. What year is your car?
A '76 is 8.25:1 CR and would never need premium. Can't really use that to judge suitability for pre-'71 cars.
Octanes at higher elevations are lower as VE and dynamic compression ratio are reduced due to the lower ambient pressure starting condition. Engines make less power at higher elevations as well (same reason).
I;ve gone to the Pure Gas website. Should I actually call the locations I am considering for a fuel stop on my way to the Fall Festival to verify availability?
Seems like ethanol free gas is available almost anywhere. It is available in Wichita, KS as EO 87. My 91 Brougham runs great with it but it is priced higher than 91 premium that has ethanol.
This gas is readily available along Lake Erie as its used as marine fuel. It doesn't deteriorate as fast as ethanol laced gasoline. I use it in both Cadillacs, the 52 year old 383 Chrysler in my boat, lawn mowers, and snow blowers.
Quote from: hornetball on August 20, 2019, 02:55:57 PM
90AKI translates to ~94RON. So, it might be enough. What year is your car?
A '76 is 8.25:1 CR and would never need premium. Can't really use that to judge suitability for pre-'71 cars.
Octanes at higher elevations are lower as VE and dynamic compression ratio are reduced due to the lower ambient pressure starting condition. Engines make less power at higher elevations as well (same reason).
I learned something new about altitude and density. Thanks.
While my '59 wasn't pre-war, it did run a 10.5:1 compression ratio and the 90 octane available here ran very nicely. I am also at basic sea level too.
I live in Central Florida and in my 1955 Fleetwood I use Ethanol Free Gas exclusively in my car. I also add a can of Lead Additive and a small amount of Marvel Mystery Oil. Since doing so my Engine burns almost not a drop of oil nor does it leak hardly any oil on the ground. The price here is approx. $3.30 a gallon and the Octane rating is 90.
Locally, Marathon is the place that has ethanol free gas. The '91 is running fine with the new injectors and using this gas.
I use ethanol free in my lawn equipment, but the 1968 requires 95 or higher octane so I run Shell premium with some 110 octane mixed in. All the fuel lines have been replaced so there are no issues with them getting ruined. The newer car all get shell regular. Shell is a toptier gas.
Quote from: cadillacmike68 on August 20, 2019, 11:43:28 PM
I use ethanol free in my lawn equipment, but the 1968 requires 95 or higher octane so I run Shell premium with some 110 octane mixed in. All the fuel lines have been replaced so there are no issues with them getting ruined. The newer car all get shell regular. Shell is a toptier gas.
This is the way to go for the versant amongst us, 'cocktail mixing' fuel. A top tier high octane fuel mixed with a pure lead, high octane, non-ethanol race fuel is the way to go. A PITA for sure, and pricey, but put a price on engine work or replacement.
Quote from: Big Fins on August 20, 2019, 02:06:11 PM
You would think with the high altitude in many parts of the state, the octane rating would be higher than most.
We get screwed here. My 2003 DTS requires 87 octane, so I have to spend extra on midgrade. Any other state, it would run on regular.
Quote from: Art Director on August 21, 2019, 03:13:11 AMWe get screwed here. My 2003 DTS requires 87 octane, so I have to spend extra on midgrade. Any other state, it would run on regular.
Your DTS requires 87 octane at Sea Level. It does not require it where you live.
Tim,
Your car won't run ok on the 85 in CO?
Are you going to the Fall Festival?
Others, I tried the EO 87 in my 2005 LaCrosse and 2015 Silverado. Neither one ran better and mileage was not improve so I went back to regular 87 in them.
Larry
Quote from: Barry M Wheeler #2189 on August 20, 2019, 10:46:02 PM
Locally, Marathon is the place that has ethanol free gas. The '91 is running fine with the new injectors and using this gas.
So Barry where the injectors the issue in your car? Was my suggestion useful?
George, your suggestions are ALWAYS useful. And that did seem to be the problem. I took a chance and installed genuine Bosch rebuilt injectors and they seem to be doing fine. Thanks again. I think the whole job was about $350. My local shop charged less than $200 to install them.
Fantastic!
I wish I could find the webpage that informed me of the issue. It is a problem with the first 4.9L engines. It was my issue. You should be running like a new car now with the low mileage you have.
Quote from: cadman56 on August 21, 2019, 10:40:38 AM
Tim,
Your car won't run ok on the 85 in CO?
Are you going to the Fall Festival?
Others, I tried the EO 87 in my 2005 LaCrosse and 2015 Silverado. Neither one ran better and mileage was not improve so I went back to regular 87 in them.
Larry
Hi Larry, good to hear from you. I haven't even tried 85 on the DTS because I don't want to screw it up. You have Regular at 87 octane, but in this mountain state, Regular is 85. Yes, I plan to be at the Fall Festival.
Quote from: gkhashem on August 21, 2019, 07:18:06 PM
I wish I could find the webpage that informed me of the issue.
The first video clip on this page contains a pretty good explanation.
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-high-vs-low-octane-petrol/
Isn't one of the Northstar's features is its supposed to be able to safely run lower octane gas if you have to? You just won't get the performance or possibly efficiency but its not supposed to damage the engine?
It should have what's known as an 'octane sensor'. It dials back the timing to reduce knock and pinging with an inferior grade of gasoline.
In my 1970 Cadillac with all stock factory settings and a rebuilt carb with new fuel lines (including metal), I just run pump gas and it works great - no issues.
Back in the day (1978 or so), I drove a 1965 Thunderbird with the 390 high compression engine and could buy both leaded and unleaded - no difference in the way it ran.
Not a big believer in these different fuels making a difference. On this forum it is not uncommon to read that "bad" gasoline is causing mechanical issues. In proper repair, which means all rubber and gaskets are replaced on an older car along with all fuel and brake lines (metal) replaced too, driven regularly, and purchasing pump gas premium you should be OK.
Luckily for us, it doesn't take many miles before the next fill up.
For me, it's about 100 to 125 miles in town.
I consult www.pure-gas.com before driving my '49 on long trips, and using the map feature so far have been able to plot a path of stations selling ethanol-free gas near interstates everywhere I've been. I copy the station address into a word processing file and by consulting the pure-gas map then type the interstate exit number and simple directions to the station from the interstate. I then print out the list and take it in the car along with maps, etc. (I'm old fashioned and don't use a GPS.)
Specifically, I drove it to the Fall Festival 3 or 4 years ago from my home in Georgia and had no problem finding stations along the way. I remember there are several such stations in and around Kalamazoo, near which the festival takes place.
In my experience the pure-gas web site is kept fairly well up to date by volunteer contributors, so almost all stations listed are currently selling ethanol-free gasoline. I would say, therefore, that there's no need to call ahead to see if stations are actually selling it. I would suggest, however, that if, for example, you have half a tank left and you pass a station selling it that you take a break and fill up to be sure.
The date of the last confirmation is posted alongside the business position.