Posted By |
Discussion Topic:
What's the right gasoline octane?
|
|
fordcoupeman |
02-07-2023 @ 1:20 PM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Mar 2012
|
Yesterday, I drove up to the nearest gas station that sells "Non Ethanol" gas, ( 46 miles), to fill up my 8, 5 gallon gas cans that I use for my 46 sedan / coupe. I mentioned this to some of my car buddies at today's weekly coffee gathering and one of the guys asked what octane did I buy? I told the group that I always buy premium 93 octane. That started a lengthy conversation about what octane was available to the public in 1946. According to Google, in 1946 after the war, regular octane was 79 and premium was 85. Premium octane then rose to 94 by 1954. I have owned my 46 for 27 years now, never putting less than premium gas in it ever with no problems. So by next Tuesday, I would like to tell the group what octane is best for my stock flathead. And if the premium gas that I have putting in it has caused any damage. I might add that my 46 runs better today than all of the years that I have owned it. The higher price for premium doesn't bother me. I look forward to some answers please. Jim Warren
|
ford38v8 |
02-07-2023 @ 1:46 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 2795
Joined: Oct 2009
|
If Premium is your only choice without Ethanol, go for it. All things being equal, Regular is more than adequate for your car, and beneficial for your pocketbook. To get really nitpicking, Regular may actually be slightly better for your engine's operating temperature range, given that Premium provides a slower burn, thus a higher combustion chamber temperature. This in itself may not even be measurable, but may be considered if your cooling system is maxed out.
Alan
|
|