FI pump and unleaded gas?

[Bruce B.]

I was recently told that the use of unleaded gas in my fuel injection will harm the high pressure pump.
True or false?
I normally use 100LL which as approximately 2 grams of lead per gallon of fuel. But when traveling I sometimes have to use unleaded pump gas. Should I add a lead additive to the pump gas in this situation?
Thanks,
Bruce B

[Paul Y.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

I have put over 80K miles on my 63 Fuely without any problems with the high pressure pump. I don't see how it could be harmed. The 10% ethanol is rumored to have a negative affect on o rings and the needle seat seal but I am doing an on the road test on the o rings as I don't see how they can go anywhere inside the fuel meter. The factory needle and seat are metal so that is a non issue unless using aftermarket. Now I'll wait for my good buddy J.D. to flame me. I have put 2500 plus miles on my F.I since April 24th and have only gone on one road trip so far. It runs great and gets 22 MPG @ 79 MPH. I don't think that no lead will harm it in the least. It you want to error on the side of caution, put a squirt of Marvel Mystery Oil in your tank once in a while.

[George J.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

I agree with Paul. I have been driving my '65 on pump gas for about 5 or 6 years after rebuilding it. I should mention, also, that it has sat for upwards of a year with out being run. The only problems I have is with the crappy dated spark plug wires. Not the FI unit.

George
31887

[Tim S.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

[quote The only problems I have is with the crappy dated spark plug wires. Not the FI unit.

George
31887[/quote]

Ain't that the truth!

[Rainer S.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

Paul,
Love your saddle paint, I had a 64 saddle/saddle in 64. Drove it all over the midwest as my primary car, over 150K miles. Have a sebring silver SWC fuelie now and still love it, sebring silver is the only compromise.
Oh, and no problem with my seals/O rings so far (after <500 miles..)

Rainer

[Tom P.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

Well, there really isn't much I can add about my FI----------------because it's all been said above.
Also, John DeGregory (major FI parts supplier for planet Earth) now has Viton seals available for the hi-pres FI pump, when it comes time to replace the seal-----------------if ever.

I have had problems with my FI because of the ethanol, but NOT related to seals. It doesn't like to idle under hot conditions with ethanol. So, MOST of the time, I use 100-110LL avgas. That stopped the hot idle problems.

[Jim L.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

I was recently told that the use of unleaded gas in my fuel injection will harm the high pressure pump.
True or false?

Completely false. Ignore the source of such mis-information.

Jim

[John D.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

Well, there really isn't much I can add about my FI----------------because it's all been said above.
Also, John DeGregory (major FI parts supplier for planet Earth) now has Viton seals available for the hi-pres FI pump, when it comes time to replace the seal-----------------if ever.

I have had problems with my FI because of the ethanol, but NOT related to seals. It doesn't like to idle under hot conditions with ethanol. So, MOST of the time, I use 100-110LL avgas. That stopped the hot idle problems.

Tom, Hi pressure pump seals in viton are NOT available at this time. The huge stock we had sold out fast. More coming but it will be quite awhile.
Take care, JD

[Bruce B.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

Thanks for the info.
My 4360 is running great on 100LL and thats what I will continue use when it is available. Right now the cost is around $3.75 a gallon which is pretty reasonable.

[Tom P.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

Tom, Hi pressure pump seals in viton are NOT available at this time. The huge stock we had sold out fast. More coming but it will be quite awhile.
Take care, JD

I shall rephrase, John D. DID have a supply of Viton seals for the hi-pres pump.
Tom Parsons has two of them in stock--------------------for customer FI rebuilds ONLY.

[Paul Y.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

Paul,
Love your saddle paint, I had a 64 saddle/saddle in 64. Drove it all over the midwest as my primary car, over 150K miles. Have a sebring silver SWC fuelie now and still love it, sebring silver is the only compromise.
Oh, and no problem with my seals/O rings so far (after <500 miles..)

Rainer

Thanks Rainer, I have always favored the Saddle Tan. It was fun to see it after I stripped 8 colors from the car. I intend to drive it that many miles myself and much of the first 80K miles were trips to the midwest from Colorado. I rebuilt it with original kits from GM mostly and pick up seals and o rings locally as needed. I must be one of the lucky ones as I have very little trouble with hot starts and hot idle conditions. I have insulated the spider some though from the heat soak and I open the hood often when I am at car shows and cruises. It sure is a great road car. Love driving it almost daily. Paul

[George J.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

Well, there really isn't much I can add about my FI----------------because it's all been said above.
Also, John DeGregory (major FI parts supplier for planet Earth) now has Viton seals available for the hi-pres FI pump, when it comes time to replace the seal-----------------if ever.

I have had problems with my FI because of the ethanol, but NOT related to seals. It doesn't like to idle under hot conditions with ethanol. So, MOST of the time, I use 100-110LL avgas. That stopped the hot idle problems.

Tom,
I have had idle problems but they were due to the tach being 200 to 300 rpm too high which resulted in trying to get it to idle too low. Also, the car does not like to idle with the distibutor shielding and the dated wires. I would look into these before paying for 100LL. On the other hand, I think it still smells great, no?
Bruce, once I figured out the above, it runs great on pump gas. We have 10% ethanol, here, too.

George

[John D.]

Re: FI pump and unleaded gas?

Thanks for the info.
My 4360 is running great on 100LL and thats what I will continue use when it is available. Right now the cost is around $3.75 a gallon which is pretty reasonable.

I have Model A Ford Roadster PU all restored with the original engine that has been setting for an eon. Soon we are going to get it running and guess what kind of fuel I am gonna use in it. Why you ask. Cause after I start it and set it back in the corner again with the rest of the crap only God knows when it will run again.
Yes 100LL is very affordable right now. Last June it was about 5.50 a gallon.
I test restored FI's with it also as some of you let them sit in the box for 5 or 10 years before using.
Meanwhile Bursten I am proud of you. Anyone that has a dual spider 4360 that runs great deserves a blue ribbon for sure. Back to work, JD