110 octane low lead Aviation fuel

I just purchased a 1970 350/350 (L-46) with the original motor. It has never been rebuilt and has relatively low miles-(67000).

Instead of using a lead additive, another Corvette owner said he uses 110 Octane low lead aviation gas in his original motor. He says it is easy to get from the local municipal airport. Also, he says it is only about $2.25 per gallon.

He says it runs great in his car-it has never caused any problems.

Any problems with this? Anyone else use this fuel?

Thanks
Mickey

It may be more octane than you need. That won't hurt you for the most part, but in some cases it will make cold running a bit worse. Not always. The lead is used to cushion the valve seats. With out it the seats can wear into the head, causing valve problems. If it has had work done to the heads, it may have hardened valve seats installed. The hardened seats don't need the lead. I know gas is high but 2.25? Ouch.

Are you sure it is 110 octane? When I was in the Air Force, they changed from 130 octane (green colour) AVGAS to 100LL (100 octane Low Lead and blue in colour). The green AVGAS used to run very hot and burn valves (in cars) but the 100LL always ran sweet as the normal automotive fuel was about 96 octane anyway. I had various V8's for years while I was in the Air Force and the 100LL always ran sweet!

whoops, sorry about the multiple replies but I am currently in the butt hole of the world - Saudi Arabia, and everytime I hit "post" I got some error screen. Evidently though, they were posting.


Saudi Arabia = butthole + good money...

LOL!

JR

Butthole, good money. Your at a Proctologist?
Don't bend over.

$2.25 a gallon for 110 is tough to swallow????? I've been paying $3.95/gallon for 110 octane race fuel which I mix with 75% 93 octane for years. $2.25 sounds mighty good to me.

I brought this same thread up a couple of years ago as I also have a '69 350/350 (rebuilt to be even more aggressive as an LT-1). The thread was titled (my memory isn't perfect mind you) "High Octane Fuel Anyone?". The discussion went on for many months and included around fifty varied responses. I highly recommend checking it out.

Adam- please make this thread available if the archives don't go back that far.

Rick.

87 Octane regular fuel is now 2.47 in my neck of the woods.

|UPDATED|5/28/2004 4:54:51 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I pay $5.00 a gallon for sunoco 110 racing fuel. I mix in 5 gallons to a full tank of 93 octane. If I don't the car will ping like crazy. The car has been to two corvette garages and this is the only way I can stop the ping.

87 octane is $1.87 in my neck of the USA. Of course the 93 octane is $2.07.