Recommended Gas

[Kappy]

I have a 73 GT that was sitting for about 4 years. The car has approximagtely 54K and I recently had it tuned up with new points, plugs, condensor, wires, fuel, air, and oil filters, etc. Unfortunately it has that Solex carburetor that I'll eventually replace. Aside from running rough in idle it drove fairly smooth around the neighborhood until the end when it began backfiring. The car had very little fuel it during the time it was idle and I'm about to fill it up. Any recommendations for the proper gas grade and should I purchase any lead additives? I live in the northeast and will be leaving the car in storage this winter.

I appreciate any tips as I'm a novice restoration enthusiast.
Thanks,
Kappy

[Dan-MI]

Supposedly the low compression cars are fine with regular grade gas, but I have always used the next step or two up. Mine will ping a bit with regular in it. Switching my Solex out for a Weber made a big driveability improvement. When I store the car for the winter I always top off the tank and put in a fuel stabilizer. The more gas in the tank, the less water condensation you'll get in it.

[BobCGT]

I agree with Dan,

I have a 73 GT with a 1.9 injected,it runs fine on regular but I usually choose mid grade.

Bob

[Dennis Texas]

I recently took one out of storage I added a throw away filter at the tank suction line before the fuel pump and ran carburetor cleaner through it, lot of gunk in gas tank from sitting, filled tank about half way and took out making a lot of turns and stuff to slosh the gas around inside the tank. I run regular gas doesn't seem to be a problem.

[newman27]

BP (Amoco) Premium (93 Octane) has been working well for me so far. I use that in the GT and the Solstice. FYI - they have a gas card that gives a 2% rebate on Premium grade purchases. In my area, that brings the cost of Premium to within a few pennies of mid-grade after rebate. Not a big deal, but every little bit helps I suppose...

Matt

[Sparky73]

I run mid-grade in mine. I have ran premium in all my vehicles, and it shows a significant improvement from Regular, but Mid-Grade and Premium seem to be about the same, so IMO.. it's not really worth the extra money to run Premium. I have also heard this from many other people..

This is based on a stock to mostly stock motor. Maybe if you have a few more upgrades it would make more of a difference.. but without them, just run mid-grade. Make sure to change your fuel filter after your first tank or so.

[wrench459]

Amoco/BP white gas If you can find it in your neck of the woods.

[Paul]

For the stock LOW compression engine, running anything higher than regular 87 oct is just a waste of money. The engine will actuall make better power and get better milage with the lower octane.

[wrench459]

After rereading this post theres three concerns.
First after sitting for four years it a wonder is runs at all.
The tank,lines and carb surely are all gummed up.
Second 87 octane should work just fine for everyday driving.
Who knows whats been done to the engine after 37 years.
Like has hardened seats been installed, or even different pistons.
Third long term storage drain all the gas out of the tank,fuel pump,lines and carb or try white gas. I've used this gas in boats when over wintering.
For some reason the white gas does not brake down like the cheaper fuel.
One more thought.. there putting alcohol in the high test now to get the octane rating up.
We all know the alcohol loves water and so does rust!!!!!
Happy Opeling!