Reply To: Fuel octain ratings and mirrors !

On the matter of the Spitfire Fuel Tin Amalgam pellets etc ….Nope  – a complete waste of time (and indeed anyone’s money)  with no  empirical  or scientific  basis whatsoever.   Roughly on the same level as the  “Find the Lady”  (or 3x card) trick or the extravagant  claims traditionally made for Snake Oil.

Since when did tin  ever dissolve in petrol? My Normale tank has been soldered together and still seems to be holding after 67 years .The  various claims that it replaces lead tera ethyl, it reduces pinking,  it prevents valves from burning out  it has some kind of catalytic properties are yet to be proven.

The entry level  Castrol Lead additive is the stuff you want. If you hunt around there is a version that adds  to the octane  rating of your fuel and there is one that does not. As your engine is all of a magnificent 6:1 compression ratio, trying to improve performance through spending on raising octane levels is  not going to make much or any difference.

Meanwhile only put in   non E numbered fuel. Typically this will NOT be 95E but Super at 98 (yes i know it costs more) . The E stands for Ethanol and that will be bad for any aged motor car for quite a few reasons.  One is the damage it does to non ferrous metals (pipeline, pump and  your carb, and it is said oil seals ) and 2) it absorbs water that then sits around in your tank and fuel system.

Perchance you are going to France  you may find that there is no fuel  available that is E free. Typical fare is E5 – 95 and E10 – 98. In that case you can buy from Millers  (at an eye watering price i am afraid)  an additive that does both valve protection AND negates the damaging effects of Ethanol.

If you still  think that Spitfire stuff is value for money,  I can sell you some shares in the Brooklyn Bridge.

Cheers

MdeL