Octane rating???

Alas it's almost time to put the car away for the winter. Up on blocks, wheels off and drain the fuel out. But I should have asked this question before. What ratings are you all using for non fuel injects? I am ashamed to say I have been putting the cheap stuff in. 89 Octane. Would it make a difference if I put higher Octane? Would it run better? I know that this was designed when leaded gas was available. Does this make any sense.

Cheers all!

I've been using 87 octane. The cheap stuff at $1.60-.70 here in the deep mid-atlantic. 1776, 2 ICTs, mild cam, runs great. I think if you have a higher C/R you need better gas. I always use in my more sophisticated cars the lowest grade that doesn't ping.
ed

Check out this:

chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa070401a.htm

Later,

Jerome

If your car runs well on 89 octane with no detonation it probably won't run any better on premium unleaded (it might not run as well) - save your money.

run what the engine likes, some low CR engines like 87 much better than 91-93.

I set my engines up to need 93...

Mike,

When I lived in the midwest and their cold winters I also prepared my never winter driven car for the colder weather but I never drained the gas. I used a product called stabil that keeps the gas fresh and prevents varnishing. I never had a problem in the spring when starting it up for the first time, little gas in the carb and off she went. I also would discontect the ground on the battery and three or four times in the winter I would put a charge on it. I found that batteries on a collector or special interest car only lasted a few years, guess because they weren't going thru that charge/recharge cycle enough. I think the plates built up some crud and shorted out the plates. My opinion only but couldn't figure out anything else. I kept the battery retailers happy in Illinois. My first winter with my Studebaker I put it up on stands, helped when I greased the 37 grease fittings on it but other than that one time, never did it again. I am going down this afternoon and fill up the Speedster with 89 Octane, seems happy with that stuff. This winter I will drive it on nice days because it never gets real cold here. Another thought I did and still do is wash the car good and then cover it up with a car cover. It is so nice in the spring when you pull the cover off and the car is standing tall!

Bruce

Thanks all......snow on the top of the mountain this morning. Maybe another 3 weeks before FERN needs to go inside. Sniff.....