I had an Impala with the 300hp 327 in 1978 and I recall leaded being a few cents cheaper than unleaded. I dont recall if there were options on octane for the leaded because mine used premium. I do recall premium leaded being the only grade offered towards 1980. I only had it for a few years and it was getting expensive to keep fuel in it when it sold.
What was leaded - unleaded transition like? Octane?
- Thread starter TmanP
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As has been stated leaded was 89 octane and unleaded was 87.
Unleaded was several cents more a gallon, and many balked at that.
Some people knocked the restrictor plate put of the fuel neck of the newer cars with cats and burned leaded anyway, since the nozzles on each pump were sized differently.
I remember seeing someone with an adapter that they slid over the end of the regular pump nozzle to fill their unleaded fuel Buick.
I still remember the smell of sulfur from my parents 1975 Pontiac Lemans because my Dad always bought the cheapest gas available, and that generally at that time was ARCO, which marketed their unleaded as "Arco Clear." Their fuel was clearly laden with sulfur however.
Unleaded was several cents more a gallon, and many balked at that.
Some people knocked the restrictor plate put of the fuel neck of the newer cars with cats and burned leaded anyway, since the nozzles on each pump were sized differently.
I remember seeing someone with an adapter that they slid over the end of the regular pump nozzle to fill their unleaded fuel Buick.
I still remember the smell of sulfur from my parents 1975 Pontiac Lemans because my Dad always bought the cheapest gas available, and that generally at that time was ARCO, which marketed their unleaded as "Arco Clear." Their fuel was clearly laden with sulfur however.
That may not be so. Our two stroke racing engines suffered a rash of connecting rod roller bearing failures when we switched to unleaded. An issue that continues to this day. It is believed that TEL can produce a thin coating on bearings and cylinders.
Racers in motocross and karting forums have noted that leaded fuels like VP C12 or other high-octane leaded race fuels seem to extend engine life compared to unleaded alternatives, particularly in high-revving applications. Some attribute this to better lubricity or reduced detonation, or even combustion quality when detonation is not present. Remember, 2 strokes are utterly intolerant of detonation.
The 2 stroke ultralight aircraft guys note the same thing. With 100LL and 32 to 1 resulting in near zero problems and long engine life.
The issue is so pronounced, a switch to ceramic bearings is often warranted.
Anyway, leaded fuel was 89 octane in Connecticut, and was markedly better than any of the unleaded alternatives.
Perhaps under heat and pressure in a bearing, but even then I bet it’s from the products of combustion. How much unburned fuel is reaching those bearings? I’m skeptical to believe that would happen at all in a fuel pump.
That's correct. Older cars pinged on the unleaded and ran poorly. Amoco always had what was called "white" gas which was unleaded premium. Camping stoves had to use "white" gas as it was stated in the manual. Those older cars that were built for leaded gas weren't long for the road on unleaded regular. I'm not an EPA lover but that was a good move for the environment. Rain would wash particles of lead off the roads into the streams. Not good.
When I bought my brand new '75 Rabbit I had to start using unleaded because of the catalytic converter. You just cursed the government and went on. Then there were those new fangled airbags..
Now we cannot imagine using leaded gas or not having airbags, not to mention better bumpers.
Now we cannot imagine using leaded gas or not having airbags, not to mention better bumpers.
