A number of years ago when I put my vintage vee engine together, I was
advised by a well known vee engine builder that they recommended 100
octane low lead aviation fuel. I realize that this is a much different
engine than the high compression engine you are referring to -- I am
offering it as just another data point.
But obtaining it probably varies from place to place. I have no problem
filling gas cans at the local small airport. It is now automated so
that all your need is a credit card, answer yes when it asks if you have
grounded your airplane and make up a tail number. They know exactly why
I am buying it, and my impression is that there is nothing illegal about
using it for any off-highway purpose. Except maybe in California --
then all bets are off. I briefly pondered the implications of making up
a tail number, then realized that an ultralight aircraft would have no
tail number, so the question itself was a little silly.
Marc Robertson
MHKitchen@aol.com wrote:
>
> Since we're on the subject of gas.....
>
> I've had to use 110 octane leaded CAM2 or Sunoco race gas in the twin cam
> with its 13.5 :1 compression ratio. But it does get expensive!!
>
> I was convinced to try Aviation Gas this summer up in Seattle, which seemed
> to work fine...no detonation or performance issues. And it was 50% or less
> of the cost of race gas.
>
> Recently, I tried to buy more Av gas here in CA, but found a) that no one
> would sell it to me in a jug...would only dispense it into a plane, and b) I
> find that they now only sell "low lead" Av gas with an octane rating of 100.
>
> I've heard that the "low lead" Av gas @ 100 octane is REALLY equivalent to a
> higher octane automotive fuel, which I'd tend to believe since it worked so
> well.
>
> Does anyone out there have any definitive answers on using Av gas in race
> engines? I hear stories pro and con about it. I would tend to agree that Av
> gas comes under higher scrutiny and quality control than race gas..but is
> there a downside?
>
> Inquiring minds want to know???
>
> Myles H. Kitchen
> Air Cortina Pilot
> 1965 Lotus (about to rotate) Cortina Mk1 #128
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