<VV> Re; Octane Boost

[Gary Hubbert]

Scott
  I have been using a home remedy for this problem for 5 yrs and 9000 mi. now.  I don't know if there will be any long-term/ high-mileage problems from this, but in the short term the results have been spectacular.  I add one pint of Diesel fuel to approx. 10 gal. of gas.  With this combination I have discovered I can advance the timing way beyond (26 deg) the point where the engine increases it's power output or pings.  I don't run it there, I find any thing past 16 is counter productive (not to say anything about stressful on the crank) and by 20 you actually loss power (really stressful on the crank!), so I run mine at 14.  All these tests I have run at full throttle acceleration.  Also, for baseline information, I'm running this in a stock '65 Monza (that consistently out pulls any stock 110 or less equipped Corvair).  I'm just now converting to a cam'd header'd 140.  We'll see how that one does (especially w/ the valve seat problem).  I haven't done any testing w/turbo's,  but I believe the additional exhaust heat from the slower burn may increase the turbo's ability to boost (see Warning).
  An additional benefit that comes from this combination is the engine noises are considerably reduced.  I would assume some of this is from the lubricating qualities of the Diesel, but, most probably comes from the Diesel softening the explosive characteristics of the Gasoline.  Also, I've had no heating problems using this additive.
  A word of Warning If any of you decide to give this a try, More of a good thing is NOT better!   From an experience I had in Arizona (I got a load of gas at a station while traveling cross country in a '55 Chevy pickup w/283) I can tell you too much Diesel will burn so hot it will melt down your engine, ending in a totally seizure.  I don't know how much Diesel (I'm guessing somewhere between 5-15%) was mixed in with the Gas, but man did that engine run good! and Fast!, until it just suddenly lost power all the way down to a dead stop.  No noises, no broken parts, just seized up tight.  When I got out to look, the exhaust manifolds were still glowing red hot.  The paint was totally cooked on the motor and I could smell the Diesel vapor in the engine compartment.  So, I strongly suggest you use no more than this ratio.  The only reason I have not reduced the ratio is that I am curious to see if any adverse effects come from using the Diesel.  I figure the higher than needed ratio would be more likely to develope problems if there is going to be any.
  Well there you go.  VirtualVair seem to like controversial issues.  I'd say this might keep you busy for a while.
  
Gary
'65 Monza Cp, '65 Monza Cp w/140,
'65 Corsa 180 (available ONLY to a home that will restore)
'66 Corsa Conv. w/110, '66 Monza Conv,
'67 Monza Cp wAC

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Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2006 19:29:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: Scott Candish <scandish at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: <VV> Octane Boost
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Message-ID: <20060712022923.93347.qmail at web81713.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Here in the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia, SoCal anyway, the highest pump octane rating available is 91. Is there an additive octane boost that's worth the name that doesn't have components that will corrode Corvair carb guts? My local stores sell Gunk & 104+. What is the composition of the boost that causes the octane to increase??
  TIA,
   
  Scott
  '65 Corsa 180
  UNSAYF