roadmonster
Member
I've run ethanol blend in my car for nearly 10 years and recently switched to 100% dead dinosaurs for several reasons. Holley carb went 5 years before rebuild, then 3 years, then 2 years. Fuel pump leaked after 9 years. Blend is 93 octane and real gas is 87. I had reduced my CR with laminated steel gaskets to prevent knock, but I didn't think the engine would tolerate 87 after being used to 93 for so long.
Big surprise, no knocking at all on 87, but it took a long time for my car to "get used to" the new gas. It sputtered, stumbled, and died, exhaust note changed, etc. But after several tankfuls, it really settled down and now seems to run better than ever.
Even now, if I run it hard, the idle will creep up to 900-1000, only to return to normal 750-800 with normal driving.
My question is: Why so much difficulty adjusting to BETTER gas?
Big surprise, no knocking at all on 87, but it took a long time for my car to "get used to" the new gas. It sputtered, stumbled, and died, exhaust note changed, etc. But after several tankfuls, it really settled down and now seems to run better than ever.
Even now, if I run it hard, the idle will creep up to 900-1000, only to return to normal 750-800 with normal driving.
My question is: Why so much difficulty adjusting to BETTER gas?