What fuel is best to use?

[David Dunlop]

Robert. Interesting comments on AVGAS.

In the past 10 years, a couple of B-17's have dropped by at the local aviation museum for visits. Sally B was one, I cannot recall the other at the moment. In chatting with both crews about the rising costs of gas and oil and the availability of parts these days I was surprised by their comments. Both stated their was still enough interest and support from the general public to continue funding operating expenses each year with no problem. Also, there are apparently enough spare parts sources still around to keep the existing global fleet of B-17's flying for many decades to come.

What had both groups a bit nervous about the long term future of flying vintage piston powered military aircraft, was the slow and steady decline in octane rating for avgas. Something which I had not thought of at all. These great engines can still run on today's avgas, but they are not able to produce the power levels they were designed for during the war. With that handicap, there performance is a lot less, which directly affects what the aircraft can do in certain flight situations. Both crews felt that any further decline in octane ratings may soon result in these aircraft no longer able to fly/perform safely.

I could be wrong, but I think wartime avgas ratings were up around 130 to 140. When I was a kid. BA Oil sold premium automotive gas with a rating of 98. Things have definitely changed.

David

[Phil Waterman]

Hi David

One of the guya in our local MV club is a aviation mechanic, for couple of years he was working on restoring a Supper G Constellation for Lufftansa one of the issues they had already reallized that they would have to derate the engines because of the availablity of high octane AVGAS just isnt there any more. Major impact was on takeoff weights and throttle settings.

Cheers Phil

On the topic of Ethanol in todays fuel one of the guys in our club just had a problem with brand new fuel injected rated hose going soft on the first tank of gas. Cause is still unknown was it E85 fuel, or fuel with much higher ethanol than the pump rated amount. Or was it miss market fuel line.

[Robert Bergeron]

David/ Phil , you are both right on the spot with the Avgas issue for high compression super-charged engines . My engine is a low compression version and it used to thrive on 80-87 Octane leaded Avgas ( Red) . It contained four times less lead than today's 100 LL ( Low lead) Avgas ( Blue ) . Warbirds used to run in 100-130 Octane Avgas ( Green ) . Those were the days ! Still, for HMV's 100 LL Avgas mixed 75-25 with Shell V Power Super Unleaded with no Ethanol crap is the best way to go : Lead to lubricate the valves , NO vapour lock and long long lasting in the tanks. Works perfect in my Continental C-145 2H air cooled windmill . Cheers . Thanks for adding to the discussion .

[Harry Moon]

In addition to the destructive and counterproductive effects of Ethanol add soy based wiring! It seams that modern wiring uses soy derivatives to reduce the content of oil. It is also very tasty and attractive to rats mice squirrels and attracts them to eating your wiring. so when that check engine light comes on look for a rats nest under the hood, dash trunk or anywhere they fit. Both my van and our car got infested, now in addition to copious amounts of roundup I stock rat and other poisons and have got ahead of them. get infested in my neighborhood every time they knock down another house

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Harry Moon

In addition to the destructive and counterproductive effects of Ethanol add soy based wiring! It seams that modern wiring uses soy derivatives to reduce the content of oil. It is also very tasty and attractive to rats mice squirrels and attracts them to eating your wiring. so when that check engine light comes on look for a rats nest under the hood, dash trunk or anywhere they fit. Both my van and our car got infested, now in addition to copious amounts of roundup I stock rat and other poisons and have got ahead of them. get infested in my neighborhood every time they knock down another house

Where they fit??!!...WHERE THEY FIT!!!!??? Where DON'T they fit????

Ah HATES mouses. Dooz 'em in every chance I gets...peanut butter is their weakness. My dogs see raccoons and possums off the property so no worries there. People too if need be (check out the pic, tell me if you'd risk it).

Unintended consequences rather go against that whole 'green' thing...

[Robert Bergeron]

Harry from Burnaby , my friend , fellow Fort Rodd Hill visitor , brother in CMP's and everything MLU have you been drinking tonight ? Soy based electrical wiring ? Sounds as crazy as ethanol in gas but just can't be . Can it ? Come on !

[Harry Moon]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

Harry from Burnaby , my friend , fellow Fort Rodd Hill visitor , brother in CMP's and everything MLU have you been drinking tonight ? Soy based electrical wiring ? Sounds as crazy as ethanol in gas but just can't be . Can it ? Come on !

http://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/they-lov...ucks-1.3254895
It should be illegal! Gin and Tonic!

[chris vickery]

Don't know about the rest of you guys but I am a believer in MMO. This product is talked about on all the forums in the USA related to old engines. Marvel Mystery Oil is an additive that seems to work like magic on old engines. I have no idea what's in it but from my experience all my engines work better with it. MMO can be added to the crankcase oil or it can be added to the fuel as an additive. I suspect that in the oil it has some detergent qualities which will free up everything it touches. In the fuel system it also seems to clean things up, even gunky under performing carbs and fuel systems seem to benefit. Available at Walmart.

[Robert Bergeron]

My friend Dan who flies a Mooney ( Harry take no offense please ) , with a higher compression aircraft engine swears by MMO to prevent sticking valves . He puts it in the gas tank and the crankcase. I have a hint he drinks a shot or two once in a while also.