[bjmurph]

Folks

I'm in the market for a 308, preferably a QV.

Does the standard engine tolerate unleaded fuel, or do the valve seats need to be replaced?

I need to know so I can check out whether a potential purchase is OK or needs work

Your comments would be appreciated

thanks

Bernie

[lucca brazzi]

my friend has an 85 QV and uses 91 octane unleaded..as well as i ., in my 328,,,,here in CA,,,its a shame that the oil companies dont let us have 92 - 93 -94 octane..like i can get in Ct...where i grew up anyways i have not heard of any issues with unleaded fuel and the 3x8 s....i have a test pipe instead of a cat...so when im up in LA,,,there is a petrol station that sells 108 octane,,,and so i try and stuff in a half a tank of that,,,car runs noticably better,,,Brett

[bill ward]

Bernie-
Unleaded gas is required for catalytics- lead ruins them but lead acts as a lubricator/ coolant to top end of engine. In the US cars started having cats in mid '70s and by ~1980 all passenger cars where cat/unleaded. I recall up to mid '80s going to gas station and could still get leaded gas for my old cars. When leaded gas became the only available, one had to do a head job on old motors to install hardened valve seats and better valves(typically sodium filled) and run unleaded in non-cat cars. I have a 1978 308 that was originally sold in California, had cats and was spec'ed for unleaded. I've had it apart and confirmed this. Says so on dash too. I don't know when other cars where changed but the gist I understand is- if it had cats, it's had the upgrade to run unleaded. if no cats then would need up grade or run a lead additive- If such available in OZ? To the best of my knowledge these cars all require Premium gas. I'd guess a QV would have cats but am unsure of world market. Bill (Sorry so wordy)

[brettgagnon]

So what about carbed no cats? Safe to assume that 91-94 should be sufficient enough, or is an additive needed?

[Neonzapper]

I don't know the answer about carbed. My 308 QV (all QV being fuel injected) had been federalized with "Unleaded Only" stickers on the gas door and dashboard.

Squeeze the fuel hose with your hand (under left rear tire) and check for soft spots as well as smell. If you want to replace it, Scuderia Rampante Ferrari has hoses that will withstand the E85 fuel used today.

[bill ward]

Originally Posted by brettgagnon

So what about carbed no cats? Safe to assume that 91-94 should be sufficient enough, or is an additive needed?

Brett-
carbed w/no cat(original)= leaded fuel. also to best of my knowledge this would be pre ~1980. Anything that has been approved/upgraded to run unleaded must not use a lead additive. The ethanol mix is a whole nother can of worms, bill

[brettgagnon]

thanks Bill.

I have read both sides to the lead additive argument, appreciate the feedback.

Brett

[Boxer]

For my old 308 GTB, I always used the highest octane unleaded I could find and then added lead substitute to the tank. Never had an issue with pinging.

[brettgagnon]

Originally Posted by Boxer

For my old 308 GTB, I always used the highest octane unleaded I could find and then added lead substitute to the tank. Never had an issue with pinging.

But was the lead additive needed or simply precautionary?

I'd prefer to use the best fuel i can buy and avoid additives if I know this will do the trick, but will buy additives if it is a must.

Thank you for feedback.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by brettgagnon

But was the lead additive needed or simply precautionary?

I'd prefer to use the best fuel i can buy and avoid additives if I know this will do the trick, but will buy additives if it is a must.

Thank you for feedback.

It was done on advice from the mechanic who had been servicing the car.

[brettgagnon]

which additive did you use?

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by brettgagnon

which additive did you use?

Redex. Picked it up at the local car supply store.

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by Boxer

For my old 308 GTB, I always used the highest octane unleaded I could find and then added lead substitute to the tank. Never had an issue with pinging.

Since then I have had the heads converted to run on unleaded fuel. With 98 octane unleaded she sings!

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Vitalone

Since then I have had the heads converted to run on unleaded fuel. With 98 octane unleaded she sings!

Here we get 100 Octane fuel on Shell gaz stations. My mechanic told me not to use that high octane for "D" but rather 98 as max Octane and use lead additive only from time to time.

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Here we get 100 Octane fuel on Shell gaz stations. My mechanic told me not to use that high octane for "D" but rather 98 as max Octane and use lead additive only from time to time.

Interesting 212Export. Has the D's heads been converted to run on unleaded?

[jagguy]

I usually run 89 but have also run 87 and 91 in my carb no cat 77. Doesn't seem to make any difference in performance. I don't know if it gives me a difference in gas mileage because I usually don't check it. Some say with a compression ratio of 9:1 you don't need anything better the 87 octane.

[Neonzapper]

Originally Posted by nfljerseys

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[brettgagnon]

Over 3000 miles now in 8 days, all on Shell V-Power (90 to 93 octane depending on the station, no ethanol). Runs like a charm, 18.2 MPG

[brettgagnon]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Redex. Picked it up at the local car supply store.

Just a note on this, my car actually says Unleaded Fuel Only in two locations, 1978 GTB. Found it amusing when I saw it after this thread.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by brettgagnon

Just a note on this, my car actually says Unleaded Fuel Only in two locations, 1978 GTB. Found it amusing when I saw it after this thread.

Do the stickers look to be original ex-factory or from a later conversion?