Can anyone give their opinion on what type of fuel to use in vintage automobiles? Not for race purposes, just stock vehicles. Octane rating, additives, ethanol in modern gas, absence of lead, etc. Thanks
Like others I would recommend verifying the compression ratio and use the fuel octane rating based on that, with a little margin. Mopars after 71 usually had very sad (low) compression ratios such as 8.0 to 1, so you can easily run 89 octane. Mix your fuel with a lead additive or similar valve lubricant additive, to prevent valve wear type issues, unless you are sure your engine has modern valves and hardened seats (and guides?). Also modern oils do not contain the proper additives to lubricate flat tappet lifters inside almost all old vehicles, which means it is very important to use an oil additive at every oil change that complies with ancient engine metal to metal / cam to flat lifter designs. Here is what we use: "Hughes Extreme Pressure Oil Additive - (1 Pint)". Mancini Racing sells it.. A flat cam is a depressing state of affairs.. My two cents..:)