Aviation Fuel

[Sloper]

Has anybody run his old Ferrari (have a 330 America) on Avgas 130?? As I got some cans of this high octane (130), high quality fuel, I wonder if the substitudes could mabe destroy gaskets as there are some rumours about cylinder head failures when running on aviation fuel?

[Sleeper]

I have never run it in a Ferrari, but I used to mix five gallons of AV gas to a tank of premium unleaded in my V12 XKE. It really made it run great. I never had any problems related to its use, but I sold the car after a couple of years and don't know long term problems.
On a sadder note, I stopped to put some AV gas in, on my way to deliver the car to a car carrier company that was waiting at a truck stop for the car. After leaving off the car, I discovered that the diamond in my ring was missing. The AV gas splashed on my hand, and had disolved part of the solder on the fitting or so it appeared. I went back to the place where I poured the gas in but couldn't find the diamond. I figure some day as a real treat for the new owner, it may show up in the fuel filter bowl!!

[Yale]

I have used 100 octane racetrack gas in my 330GT, as far as I could discern, it made no difference. Tom Y says this engine is not high enough compression for the higher octane to make a difference. 130 Octane though....

Best,

Yale

[Matt F]

I think that Yale nailed it. Our old V-12s run around a 8:1 compression ratio. You don't need very high octane, and if you don't see a difference at 100 octane, you sure won't see one at 130 (?).

"Octane" is NOT a measure of power inherent in the fuel; it's the resistance to knock.

The only way to increase power with a higher octane is to really increase your timing. You just can't do that with our distributors.

[Art S.]

I run straight 100 LL (low lead) AVgas, I have done so for a while. When driving hard, steady 90+mph its great. When I slow down, I kill bugs (and people) at 100 yards. The car smokes and fouls plugs like crazy. I thought I was coming up on a rebuild but all cylinders have excellent compression and low leakdown (thanks to Stephanm's father).

On the way up to Francois' place to get the brakes done, I switched to unleaded and the smoke went away almost completely.

My understanding is that AVgas has a very different formulation than 100 octane super from the old days. 100 LL has 4 - 5 times the lead content of the old leaded super.

I like the way the gas smells and I'm guessing it’s good for the valve seats so I plan to keep using it, but in a more dilute form.

On the plus side, it is very stable and will not break down over the winter.

Hope this helps.

Art S.

[fest]

I have not tried av gas
and probably never will
based on old-timers' anectodatal stories
of toasted vette motors
that their Navy buddies
tried to run on av gas

and
based on the factual research I have done-

I am under the impression
that AV Gas is exactly that
made to run an aviation engine
at high altitudes-
and that also the specific gravity
is as low as possible
so that the weight (obviously critical in aircraft)
is commensuratlely lower
and thusly of higher volatilty
bottom line:
just not formulated for an automobile engine

I would just pony up for race gas
instead of risking my motor
to save a couple bucks

[Rudy van Daalen Wetters]

Does anyone use an octane booster in their car? When I checked the timing in my car it was retarded a bit and I wonder if that was on purpose. I just use 91 unleaded and nothing else. Any recommendations as to what should be used beside AV gas?

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 s/n 4001

[Michael Bayer]

You can get the real McCoy, lead additive, TEL from Vogel Products, Inc., 860 Repp Dr., Columbus, IN 47201. Phone 812-376-2775. It was also available from Thompson Products, Box 427, Westville, IL 61883, phone
217 267 2294. They can ship it. They sell it by the gallon, but it comes in
quart containers. Adding that in proper proportion creats a blend that Enzo would have recognized. Michael Bayer 1967 330GT #9727

[Rudy van Daalen Wetters]

Thanks, Mike. Have you been using this product for some time and are other people using it in their Ferraris? What ratio mix do you use?

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001

[lukek]

...maybe once a quarter I put some lead additive into a full tank of the Ferrari and the Alfa. It might not make a difference, but for $5.99 it makes me feel better. I put in however many ounces it says...(IOW, small amounts). I do not recall the brand, but it comes in a funny bottle where the neck is used for measuring out the dosage.

[jcwconsult]

Does anyone have any experience using racing gas? One Ferrari expert in Michigan (Terry Myr) likes both the high octane and the aspect that it evaporates during storage leaving only the color dyes - and little or no gummy residue. He recommends using partial tanks of this gas during the driving season, and as close as possible to 100% in the tank in the fall before putting the car away for the winter.

Any thoughts on this recommendation?

[Art S.]

Jim,

I think you can use AVgas in a similar manner without problems.

Thats what I intend to do going forward.

Art S.

[67GTC]

I've been experimenting with the 100 octane available (at $6.00 a gal.)from a few 76 stations here in Los Angeles.I find that the rough running and stumbling I experience with 91 octane at stoplights just goes away completely with the higher octane gas.

I'm now experimenting with mixes of 91 and 100 octane, and have found that a half tank of 91 and half tank of 100 still gives the smoother running characteristics I'm looking for.

Chuck

[Art S.]

Chuck,

Try 1/4 100LL AVgas 3/4 91 octaine. AV gas should save you a lot of money and I'm told that if it is used in moderation, can be quite beneficial. Kind of like Botox.

Art S.

[67GTC]

Thanks Art,

I'll give that mix a try; a friend of mine flies, so he can probably help with the AVgas.

Chuck