What kind of gas do you use in your classic mustang?
06-14-2006, 11:57 AM
#1
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What kind of gas do you use in your classic mustang?
What octane gas do most of you guys use? I have been using 87 octane and now I am being told that I am backfiring when I shift. It's not real bad and I can't even hear it in the car but I thought I would check and see if maybe I should go with a higher octane gas. I have also been having a problem in the past couple weeks or so with just a little bit of Dieseling. Thanks!
06-14-2006, 12:34 PM
#3
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RE: What kind of gas do you use in your classic mustang?
I used to use high octane in my 289 2V, but found I was just wasting money because 87 octane runs just fine. Unless your engine is 10:1 compression you don't need high octane gas. Backfiring and dieseling are not caused by the octane of the gas. That's a timing problem.
06-14-2006, 12:45 PM
#4
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RE: What kind of gas do you use in your classic mustang?
I only run 93 octane in mine but not for any particular reason. I just do it because it's the best and I run it in my '05 GMC Sierra and '06 CBR1000RR also. That said, I have a company ride so I don't have to buy fuel that often.
06-14-2006, 12:50 PM
#5
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RE: What kind of gas do you use in your classic mustang?
ORIGINAL: Soaring
I used to use high octane in my 289 2V, but found I was just wasting money because 87 octane runs just fine. Unless your engine is 10:1 compression you don't need high octane gas. Backfiring and dieseling are not caused by the octane of the gas. That's a timing problem.
I used to use high octane in my 289 2V, but found I was just wasting money because 87 octane runs just fine. Unless your engine is 10:1 compression you don't need high octane gas. Backfiring and dieseling are not caused by the octane of the gas. That's a timing problem.
06-14-2006, 03:26 PM
#6
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RE: What kind of gas do you use in your classic mustang?
The Premium fuel also has higher amounts of detergants which will clean your engine. I put premium in mine once a month just to help out with carbon build up.
06-14-2006, 03:40 PM
#7
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RE: What kind of gas do you use in your classic mustang?
But, what exactly is octane? Well octane, simply put, is the gasoline’s resistance to burning. Yes, its resistance to burning. So basically 87 octane requires less to get it to start burning and the higher 93 octane requires more to get it to start to burn. High performance cars usually require higher grade gas and lower performance cars such as minivans, family sedans, and economy cars usually require lower 87 octane. This may be where some people think that higher octane gas helps them, as like a high performance car, they will get more power. This is not true. High performance cars actually take advantage of the fact that 93 octane is harder to burn. These cars are able to have higher compression ratios and more performance oriented ignition timing curves. Where as in most cars that just require 87, no real benefits can be had from using higher octane gas and actual harm may occur.
The second difference in some of the gasses is the additives that are added to gas. That is, some brands add there own special blend of cleaners and such to help keep your fuel system clean, or whatever bogus reason they give. Really most everything they add does not make a difference that makes up for buying an unneeded grade of gas. Everything that they add can be made up for with a simple bottle of fuel system cleaner every few oil changes.
Now that you know the basic differences, you should know the consequences of using higher octane gas when it is not required. Putting higher grade gas in your gas when you don't need it kicks you in the butt twice. First, you end paying about 20 cents more per gallon then you need to, which can add up to astronomical figures if you drive a lot. And secondly, you can end up clogging your engine with harmful carbon deposits and possibly lower your gas mileage. This is because the higher octane is harder to burn, and lower performance engines may not be able to completely burn all the gas, which causes carbon to build up.
These are the reasons I use 87 octane gas. My 9:1 compression ratio engine simply does not need it.
The second difference in some of the gasses is the additives that are added to gas. That is, some brands add there own special blend of cleaners and such to help keep your fuel system clean, or whatever bogus reason they give. Really most everything they add does not make a difference that makes up for buying an unneeded grade of gas. Everything that they add can be made up for with a simple bottle of fuel system cleaner every few oil changes.
Now that you know the basic differences, you should know the consequences of using higher octane gas when it is not required. Putting higher grade gas in your gas when you don't need it kicks you in the butt twice. First, you end paying about 20 cents more per gallon then you need to, which can add up to astronomical figures if you drive a lot. And secondly, you can end up clogging your engine with harmful carbon deposits and possibly lower your gas mileage. This is because the higher octane is harder to burn, and lower performance engines may not be able to completely burn all the gas, which causes carbon to build up.
These are the reasons I use 87 octane gas. My 9:1 compression ratio engine simply does not need it.
06-14-2006, 04:00 PM
#8
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RE: What kind of gas do you use in your classic mustang?
ORIGINAL: Soaring
But, what exactly is octane? Well octane, simply put, is the gasoline’s resistance to burning. Yes, its resistance to burning. So basically 87 octane requires less to get it to start burning and the higher 93 octane requires more to get it to start to burn. High performance cars usually require higher grade gas and lower performance cars such as minivans, family sedans, and economy cars usually require lower 87 octane. This may be where some people think that higher octane gas helps them, as like a high performance car, they will get more power. This is not true. High performance cars actually take advantage of the fact that 93 octane is harder to burn. These cars are able to have higher compression ratios and more performance oriented ignition timing curves. Where as in most cars that just require 87, no real benefits can be had from using higher octane gas and actual harm may occur.
The second difference in some of the gasses is the additives that are added to gas. That is, some brands add there own special blend of cleaners and such to help keep your fuel system clean, or whatever bogus reason they give. Really most everything they add does not make a difference that makes up for buying an unneeded grade of gas. Everything that they add can be made up for with a simple bottle of fuel system cleaner every few oil changes.
Now that you know the basic differences, you should know the consequences of using higher octane gas when it is not required. Putting higher grade gas in your gas when you don't need it kicks you in the butt twice. First, you end paying about 20 cents more per gallon then you need to, which can add up to astronomical figures if you drive a lot. And secondly, you can end up clogging your engine with harmful carbon deposits and possibly lower your gas mileage. This is because the higher octane is harder to burn, and lower performance engines may not be able to completely burn all the gas, which causes carbon to build up.
These are the reasons I use 87 octane gas. My 9:1 compression ratio engine simply does not need it.
But, what exactly is octane? Well octane, simply put, is the gasoline’s resistance to burning. Yes, its resistance to burning. So basically 87 octane requires less to get it to start burning and the higher 93 octane requires more to get it to start to burn. High performance cars usually require higher grade gas and lower performance cars such as minivans, family sedans, and economy cars usually require lower 87 octane. This may be where some people think that higher octane gas helps them, as like a high performance car, they will get more power. This is not true. High performance cars actually take advantage of the fact that 93 octane is harder to burn. These cars are able to have higher compression ratios and more performance oriented ignition timing curves. Where as in most cars that just require 87, no real benefits can be had from using higher octane gas and actual harm may occur.
The second difference in some of the gasses is the additives that are added to gas. That is, some brands add there own special blend of cleaners and such to help keep your fuel system clean, or whatever bogus reason they give. Really most everything they add does not make a difference that makes up for buying an unneeded grade of gas. Everything that they add can be made up for with a simple bottle of fuel system cleaner every few oil changes.
Now that you know the basic differences, you should know the consequences of using higher octane gas when it is not required. Putting higher grade gas in your gas when you don't need it kicks you in the butt twice. First, you end paying about 20 cents more per gallon then you need to, which can add up to astronomical figures if you drive a lot. And secondly, you can end up clogging your engine with harmful carbon deposits and possibly lower your gas mileage. This is because the higher octane is harder to burn, and lower performance engines may not be able to completely burn all the gas, which causes carbon to build up.
These are the reasons I use 87 octane gas. My 9:1 compression ratio engine simply does not need it.
...uhhh well put dad
06-14-2006, 04:21 PM
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Minnesota
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RE: What kind of gas do you use in your classic mustang?
Great explanation, Glen. Let me complicate the issue and get an opinion....In Minnesota, the 87 and 89 octanes are laced with ethanol by law (I think it's 15%). But you can buy 93 at several local stations, with no added grain alcohol and no oxygen added, that is specifically designated for use for collector cars, small engines, boats, etc. Is the trade off worth it (no rubber-eating everclear vs carbon problems)? Also, should I be using a lead additive? This is my 200 I6 with a verified 55,000 miles and has been running sweet on the 93 for the year I've had it. (BTW, you were right on the 190 thermostat...this is one engine that probably can handle it...I'm running a 180 and it's okay but now I'm gettin paranoid about deposits from running too cool.)
06-14-2006, 05:23 PM
#10
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RE: What kind of gas do you use in your classic mustang?
ORIGINAL: Charlie1
Great explanation, Glen. Let me complicate the issue and get an opinion....In Minnesota, the 87 and 89 octanes are laced with ethanol by law (I think it's 15%). But you can buy 93 at several local stations, with no added grain alcohol and no oxygen added, that is specifically designated for use for collector cars, small engines, boats, etc. Is the trade off worth it (no rubber-eating everclear vs carbon problems)? Also, should I be using a lead additive? This is my 200 I6 with a verified 55,000 miles and has been running sweet on the 93 for the year I've had it. (BTW, you were right on the 190 thermostat...this is one engine that probably can handle it...I'm running a 180 and it's okay but now I'm gettin paranoid about deposits from running too cool.)
Great explanation, Glen. Let me complicate the issue and get an opinion....In Minnesota, the 87 and 89 octanes are laced with ethanol by law (I think it's 15%). But you can buy 93 at several local stations, with no added grain alcohol and no oxygen added, that is specifically designated for use for collector cars, small engines, boats, etc. Is the trade off worth it (no rubber-eating everclear vs carbon problems)? Also, should I be using a lead additive? This is my 200 I6 with a verified 55,000 miles and has been running sweet on the 93 for the year I've had it. (BTW, you were right on the 190 thermostat...this is one engine that probably can handle it...I'm running a 180 and it's okay but now I'm gettin paranoid about deposits from running too cool.)