Pump Fuel in Original 62 Fulie

[Stephen G.]

I've only used aviation fuel in my 62 fulie. It's a totally original car. I now plan on driving to the Altoona Region & 2013 National for a Founders Award. I'm faced with running pump fuel.

Will I need octane booster? Need I be concerned with the possible damage to things like fuel pump diaphragm and other internal rubber products from all the junk they put in the fuel today?

I plan on going back to aviation fuel ASAP after the events.

[John D.]

Re: Pump Fuel in Original 62 Fulie

Stephen, Would you believe the old original diaphragms and bottom cover gasket will hold up for quite a while on ethanol. From what I have heard the bottom cover of your pump seems to be causing the most havoc.
Solution is to buy a rebuild kit from companies that specialize in kits for ethanol. One such company is: www.OldTimeParts.com
emailsales@oldtimepart.com
or 888-399-7278. AKA Jackson Oldtime Parts 6220 Grand Ave, Dulut, MN 55809
In February of this year I called them to reassure that the info I have been passing on is correct. Seems that it is. Now the judges may not like the color and construction of the gaskets but at least your fuel pump will be ready for most any kind of fuel.
You don't live that far from Altoona I see.
The Pittsburgh Tri-State chapter is sponsoring the regional in Altoona, PA Sept 6-9. See "The Driveline' for two pages of info.
Thanks ahead of time for coming to our show. Much appreciated. John
P.S. Show at the Blair County Convention Center. The place is gorgeous and absolutely huge. All Corvettes will be indoors or under roof.
Dave Kitch is the Show Chairman. Holler if you need anything.

[Don H.]

Re: Pump Fuel in Original 62 Fulie

You can be sure what John tells you is absolutely correct. I have run gas-ahol in my '60 FI when on the road with no problems and I am sure the current kit in it is old enough to not be compatible (I normally run Av gas also). It should be fine but be prepared for start up blues if the weather is hot and the car is warmed up. Good luck, Don H.

[Duke W.]

Re: Pump Fuel in Original 62 Fulie

There is really no need to run straight 100LL avgas.

One thing you should do is use feeler gages to measure the head gasket thickness at the corners of the head-block interface. Beginning in mid-production, 1962 SHP/FI engines were double gasketed with two .018" production gaskets due to customer detonation complaints, and this practice continued to the end of the 1963 model year. The extra gasket drops the actual CR about half-a-point, and even with single gaskets the CR is likely lower than advertised depending on deck height. Most engine decks are high.

With the larger chambers on '64 heads due to the unshrouding cut on 2.02/1.6" valve versions, advertised CR dropped from 11.25 to 11:1, but, in reality, the actual CRs as built were about 0.5 less than advertised with a single gasket. The slightly lower CR and later closing inlet valve with the 30-30 cam enabled single gasketing again, so, as-built, the double gasketed '62-'63 engines are actually lower than the single gasketed '64 SHP/FI engines.

Even with single gaskets, it's likely that then engine will run okay on unleaded premium (depending on what PON is available in your area) if you limit initial timing to about 10. With straight 100LL avgas you could easily run 16.

Duke

[Joe C.]

Re: Pump Fuel in Original 62 Fulie

The situation with Rochester engines is fuel perc within the "spider", especially while experiencing the heat and altitudes on the high plains of the central-western US. Unfortunately, octane boosters or any type of additive will not alleviate this condition. Vapor pressure of the ethanol component within the E10 is higher than that of the rest of the mixture, and it boils off early. The only way to avoid this is to distill your own gasoline, to burn 100% 100LL, or to buy your fuel from places that sell non ethanol blended gas.

Become familiar with this link:

http://pure-gas.org/

[Joe R.]

Re: Pump Fuel in Original 62 Fulie

The situation with Rochester engines is fuel perc within the "spider", especially while experiencing the heat and altitudes on the high plains of the central-western US. Unfortunately, octane boosters or any type of additive will not alleviate this condition. Vapor pressure of the ethanol component within the E10 is higher than that of the rest of the mixture, and it boils off early. The only way to avoid this is to distill your own gasoline, to burn 100% 100LL, or to buy your fuel from places that sell non ethanol blended gas.

Become familiar with this link:

http://pure-gas.org/

"Pure Gas" is also available as an iPhone app.

Joe

[John D.]

Re: Pump Fuel in Original 62 Fulie

Just type in: pure-gas.org. YOu don't need the http stuff. Then click on your state. Last time I checked was in February and found out that in my state of PA there were 18 stations that sold gas with no ethanol in it. Problem is gang that most of the stations have only rot gut 87 octane fuel with no ethanol. In PA maybe 3 states had it available in 91 octance.
Meanwhile good luck with these lists as from what I have heard the lists are not up to date. Now you can help by notifying pure-gas.org if you find a station on their list that no longer has straight fuyel.
Plan B: Hit all the boat docks you can as you may luck out and find fuel there with no ethanol. The boating industry taking a major hit as the ethanol is killing their boats with fiberglass tanks.
If you own a big tank Corvette you better trade it in for one like us poor folks have. Tru story. Old JD