408 stroker fuel requirement?

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J.B.

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I just purchased a 72 Duster with a 408 Stroker. Specs are Indy X series heads, 286 Hydraulic roller cam .544int/.541exh, aluminum roller rockers, forged internals, eagle crank. 750 holley double pumper mechanical. Previous owner said compression ratio was 10:3:1. He said he used 90 pump gas and 110 race fuel mix at 3 to 1. So a 16 gallon tank would be 12 gallons of 90 and 4 gallons 110. A 5 gallon container to order of 110 is $100 and not conducive for my picket book. Is 93 pump gas fine? And if so, is the 93 pump gas that has the small amount of ethanol ok? Or will the ethanol chew up my carburetor? There is 93 ethanol free on the otherside of town which means im gonna have to fill it up in containers to fill car cause driving over to fill will kill my gas coming back lol. Trying to figure out my best options. I was also told if i add stp carburetor and fuel treatment to a tank of 93 pump gas as a preventative it will help prevent deposit build up from the ethanol. Looking forward to help here thank you.

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There is no way that engine at that compression ratio and it need anything but pump gas.

No way. Unless something is very very wrong.

My first guess would be the timing curve is locked out or close to it.

My second guess is the engine is too hot. At that compression ratio 180 is hot enough.

My third guess is the plugs are probably too hot.

There is no way that engine needs ANY race gas added to it.
 
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There is no way that engine is that compression ratio and it need anything but pump gas.

No way. Unless something is very very wrong.

My first guess would be the timing curve is locked out or close to it.

My second guess is the engine is too hot. At that compression ratio 180 is hot enough.

My third guess is the plugs are probably too hot.

There is no way that engine needs ANY race gas added to it.
Ok what about the 93 that has ethanol in it is it ok to use with the fuel treatment so it doesnt ruin carb seals?
 
Ok what about the 93 that has ethanol in it is it ok to use with the fuel treatment so it doesnt ruin carb seals?
You can use pump gas, the only issue is if the car sits too long. If there is a boat dock close by, they sell non-ethanol…. Out on the west coast 110-112 race gas is about 12-15 per gallon at the tracks. They rip you off if you buy from a parts store. Look up VP or Sonoco and see who is the distributor in your area.
 
I think he put race gas mix just for extra power

There are owners out there have that notion conjured up in their heads.

Check total ignition timing. Get it to something safe. Then put 93 in it. And then drive it and listen really close. If it got loud exhaust might be tough.
 
Race fuel burns slower and doesn't pre detonate like like lower octane fuels do. That's the reason higher octanes are used in race engines.

At 10.3 to 1 that engine should run fine on straight 93 octane pump gas.

Tom
 
There are owners out there have that notion conjured up in their heads.

Check total ignition timing. Get it to something safe. Then put 93 in it. And then drive it and listen really close. If it got loud exhaust might be tough.

Race fuel burns slower and doesn't pre detonate like like lower octane fuels do. That's the reason higher octanes are used in race engines.

At 10.3 to 1 that engine should run fine on straight 93 octane pump gas.

To

Race fuel burns slower and doesn't pre detonate like like lower octane fuels do. That's the reason higher octanes are used in race engines.

At 10.3 to 1 that engine should run fine on straight 93 octane pump gas.

Tom
Ok thanks
 
I have a similar build. Pump gas should work . Just make sure your timing and jetting is correct . If you are new to engines find a qualified member that is close and have them tune it . Or a reputable speed shop . Shouldn’t be hard to find in Florida.
 
I have a similar build. Pump gas should work . Just make sure your timing and jetting is correct . If you are new to engines find a qualified member that is close and have them tune it . Or a reputable speed shop . Shouldn’t be hard to find in Florida.
I tuned it very well today got vacuum to optimum 15 with double pumper

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I have actually run cheap 10% alcohol regular gas in my 418 stroker. My compression is about where yours is. I richened it up some, it ran fine on it, but started a little hard. Went back to straight BP premium. You do not need race gas.
 
I just purchased a 72 Duster with a 408 Stroker. Specs are Indy X series heads, 286 Hydraulic roller cam .544int/.541exh, aluminum roller rockers, forged internals, eagle crank. 750 holley double pumper mechanical. Previous owner said compression ratio was 10:3:1. He said he used 90 pump gas and 110 race fuel mix at 3 to 1. So a 16 gallon tank would be 12 gallons of 90 and 4 gallons 110. A 5 gallon container to order of 110 is $100 and not conducive for my picket book. Is 93 pump gas fine? And if so, is the 93 pump gas that has the small amount of ethanol ok? Or will the ethanol chew up my carburetor? There is 93 ethanol free on the otherside of town which means im gonna have to fill it up in containers to fill car cause driving over to fill will kill my gas coming back lol. Trying to figure out my best options. I was also told if i add stp carburetor and fuel treatment to a tank of 93 pump gas as a preventative it will help prevent deposit build up from the ethanol. Looking forward to help here thank you.

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My 408 is an actual 10.5 CR with Eddy heads. I run nothing but pump 93 octane in it. And I don't worry about ethanol-free. Street or strip, it gets the same fuel. Your build is similar enough that you should have no issue using the same fuel.
 
At a freaking $1 PER GALLON difference between 87 and 93 these days it would kill me to have to be forced to run premium. WTF ever happened to 10¢ a gallon difference between grades of gas?
Then if I tune it for E85 type octane I'm also screwed as E85 is less efficient than plain pump gas ......
What's the most CR that could be reasonably expected to be happy with pump 87?
 
It’s an utter PITA, but if you’re really nervous about the ethanol. Buy a 5 gallon pail of the cheapest non ethanol race fuel you can get. Pull the inlet line off the pump and stick it in the pail. Run it a couple of mins and shut it off. Do this every time it is going to sit for a bit. I never cared. Never had an issue. Same needle seats 10 years old. 1/2 was pump gas use.
 
Run 93 and forget about it. Make sure your tune in good, though.

When I dyno'd my current engine, it made better power with Kwik Fill 93 than with Sunoco 110. 11.25 to 1, with aluminum heads.
 
Not at a whole buck a gallon more than 87. Not more than occasionally anyway. That's $20-25 more PER TANK. And I plan to drive the hell out of mine.
 
Update, just filled her full up
With 93 retuned carb and runs fantastic thanks a bunch guys!
 
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