Is GM Top Engine Cleaner Necessary

[c3po]

I have been using a Maintenance Dose of Lucas Gas Treatment for many years every time I fill up my 1983 Chevrolet El Camino, and a year ago I used some Amsoil PI in the gas tank. Back in the mid 1990's I used the GM Top Engine Cleaner and it smoked up the neighborhood, I think after starting Lucas Gas Treatment I did it 1 more time in early 2001 or maybe 2002, and it did not smoke as much. Also the stuff is no longer like $6.00, I called GM and it is about $14.00. The vehicle has 360,000 miles but I did put on a new carburetor at 340,000 miles and change the fuel filter once a year, am I wasting my money and would Seafoam poured into the carburetor work just as well. I think I read that Lucas Gas Treatment prevents carbon buildup. I would hate to spend $14.00 and have nothing happen. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[steve20]

try a can-IMO there is nothing like it on the market-My 83 Cutlass 307 looooved regular doses of it-felt like it gained 20 hp after each use. I still have a can in the corner of the garage

 

[JTK]

There's not a whole lot that builds up in the 'wet' intake of a carb'd beast like that. I'd be more concerned with good air filtration, clean PCV and a clean breather. You get more build-up under the intake in the valley on SBC's than anything, just from combustion gasses, oil vapor and heat/cool cycles. Not much you can do about that.

Joel

 

[c3po]

I have an Amsoil EaO Air Filter on there and since the PCV is cheap I change it every year as well as the breather. I also did the Auto-Rx thing, about 2 years ago I took off the Edelbrock intake manifold that had an EGR port and put 1 on there that did not have the EGR port. The underside of that intake manifold looked brand new, not a spec of black carbon on it at all, that intake manifold must have had about 200,000 miles on it, I am guessing that using synthetic oil helped, the intake valley was also very clean.