Non-Ethynol Racing Gas Available!

[SSuperDave]

Plenty in Texas, but none near me

 

[Shovelrick]

That's gotta be Saltherring, up in WA....can't remember his name off hand.

Ole

 

[Shovelrick]

When spec'ing my '67 L78 engine, I used Dynamic Compression Ratio to analyze things, and I am certain it will run on 93 octane. I have a good friend in Washington State (on the old Chevelle forum) who owns a basically stock '69 L78 Chevelle SS (I have the same or very similar cam as he used that is close to the stock L78 GM solid lifter cam (by Howards). I have all the parts for the build, mostly all original GM vintage correct part numbers ($$$), but with my health issues I may never build it sadly. But, like Jim Carry said in "Dumb & Dumber" when he asked the pretty red head what his chances with her were based on 1 to 100 (or was it million?), & she replied "1". "So I have a chance!" he said! There's always hope!

Ole? and I’m very sorry to hear your health isn’t good

 

[L78fanatic]

That's gotta be Saltherring, up in WA....can't remember his name off hand.

Yup....you're correct! I invited Ole to join here, but he hasn't yet.

 

[L78fanatic]

Ole? and I’m very sorry to hear your health isn’t good

Thanks Rick....I'm hangin in there, but my new life consists of Dr appts, blood work and treatments after 72 years of hating to go to the Dr and feeling healthy! Some things just happen. All we can do is make the best of what is thrown our way right? I enjoy every minute of my addiction to anything cars! (Since about 3 years old my Mom used to tell me). My Dad wasn't a car guy but we went to races together over the years and he really enjoyed going (Sarasota-Bradenton Speedway...1/4 mi. asphalt oval where Billy Gill and other Legends raced!), Daytona 500 twice. I was there in 1963 when the Chevrolet "Mystery Engine" was let loose on that track...that was really something to see! Then, of course there was Sebring (in 1966) when I attended with a car nut friend of my Sister's. I must have built 100 or more model cars while growing up, including 4 winners in the Revell-Pactra Model Car Contest in Florida in the early 60's. We also went to the Indy 500 a few times when we moved back to Illinois. Oh, one more thing. My first job was at Anderson Ford in Sarasota (washing cars, then parts dept). Anderson was an authorized Shelby Mustang/Cobra Dealership back then, and was it ever cool seeing those cars come and go (mainly go fast!).

 

[Shovelrick]

Thanks Rick....I'm hangin in there, but my new life consists of Dr appts, blood work and treatments after 72 years of hating to go to the Dr and feeling healthy! Some things just happen. All we can do is make the best of what is thrown our way right? I enjoy every minute of my addiction to anything cars! (Since about 3 years old my Mom used to tell me). My Dad wasn't a car guy but we went to races together over the years and he really enjoyed going (Sarasota-Bradenton Speedway...1/4 mi. asphalt oval where Billy Gill and other Legends raced!), Daytona 500 twice. I was there in 1963 when the Chevrolet "Mystery Engine" was let loose on that track...that was really something to see! Then, of course there was Sebring (in 1966) when I attended with a car nut friend of my Sister's. I must have built 100 or more model cars while growing up, including 4 winners in the Revell-Pactra Model Car Contest in Florida in the early 60's. We also went to the Indy 500 a few times when we moved back to Illinois.

An old Gfriend of mine in the early 90’s and my best friends sister were from Indy and they had a family reunion during the Indy 500 so we’re up there a cpl days before the race and I ask the oldest brother that also still lived up there about how we go about going to the Big Race he said Oh we stopped going years ago and stay home and listen to it over loud speakers outside and in the house… So I figured they were Fn with the guy that ain’t from there, Race Day and…..He wasn’t joking, he owns and drove a hot lunch truck and started cooking real early in the morning and it turned out to be a Hell of a lot of fun, whole neighborhood makes a block party out of it

 

[hooblesmelcher]

If you're running an 11 to 1 engine etc on the street and don't want ethanol you can allways mix racing fuel with pump gas. Either sunoco or vp 110. You will have to do a little experimenting to see what you need but it will save some cash over buying pure racing fuel and be just as good once you figure the ratio out.

 

[spinshop]

If you're running an 11 to 1 engine etc on the street and don't want ethanol you can allways mix racing fuel with pump gas. Either sunoco or vp 110. You will have to do a little experimenting to see what you need but it will save some cash over buying pure racing fuel and be just as good once you figure the ratio out.

I bought 55 gallons of 110 Sunoco and mix 5 gallons with 93 at the pump when I fill up. Seems to run a lot better but, rich. I need to get it tuned better.
Cant beat the smell.

 

[Shovelrick]

If you're running an 11 to 1 engine etc on the street and don't want ethanol you can allways mix racing fuel with pump gas. Either sunoco or vp 110. You will have to do a little experimenting to see what you need but it will save some cash over buying pure racing fuel and be just as good once you figure the ratio out.

I was doing that with my stroked shovelhead, 50% 110 & 50% 93 non eth and it runs great, found it runs fine WO the 110 but didn't pull as hard but a lot less $ to fill the 5 gal tanks, it has domed pistons but the heads are a little different than a Chevy, I'm thinking more like an alum semi hemi type head?

 

[Nashville Cat]

I was doing that with my stroked shovelhead, 50% 110 & 50% 93 non eth and it runs great, found it runs fine WO the 110 but didn't pull as hard but a lot less $ to fill the 5 gal tanks, it has domed pistons but the heads are a little different than a Chevy, I'm thinking more like an alum semi hemi type head?

If you install good aluminum heads and keep the compression at or below 10.5-1 , you should be ok with 91 to 93 octane.
Just be sure to keep the timing in the range of 36-37 max.
Racing gas is so expensive ? Wouldn't a good set of heads pay for themselves ? I paid $1600 for a nice used set of Brodix Race-Rites.

 

[71350SS+454]

If you install good aluminum heads and keep the compression at or below 10.5-1 , you should be ok with 91 to 93 octane.
Just be sure to keep the timing in the range of 36-37 max.
Racing gas is so expensive ? Wouldn't a good set of heads pay for themselves ? I paid $1600 for a nice used set of Brodix Race-Rites.

Yes those aluminum heads should pay for themselves but only if you do a bucket load of driving.
Those Race rites were a great find I'd jump at a set if I could find one priced similarly

 

[hooblesmelcher]

Aviation 100 ll is an option if it's available where you are. Airports etc

 

[71350SS+454]

My Dad wasn't a car guy but we went to races together over the years and he really enjoyed going (Sarasota-Bradenton Speedway...1/4 mi. asphalt oval where Billy Gill and other Legends raced!), Daytona 500 twice.

Back in 1991 (? I think) we took the kids to go to DisneyWorld and see my Wifes Mother & StepFather,they lived in Bradenton. On the way in I saw some advertising about the weekend racing at Bradenton speedway in the coming weekend so I said we have to go.
It turned out that they were having twin 50 lap races that weekend (they were also having a T&T night at the drag strip) . But what I remember the most was just as they were starting hot laps they stopped the cars and let a trailer into the pits.Then they announced " That's Bobby Gill pulling into the pits ... he made it !!!) Because Gill missed almost all of hot laps and qualifying, he had to start in the back in his heat but he was able to quickly make it through the field to get to start the first 50 lap race in the middle but near the front of the pack & then almost win the 1st race. I think most of the people were rooting for him to win as they cheered as he got around anyone.
I don't remember much of the 2nd race as the kids were bored and my Wife gotten sun-burned so she was having no part of being nice. We left after the halfway point of that one.

 

[L78fanatic]

Back in 1991 (? I think) we took the kids to go to DisneyWorld and see my Wifes Mother & StepFather,they lived in Bradenton. On the way in I saw some advertising about the weekend racing at Bradenton speedway in the coming weekend so I said we have to go.
It turned out that they were having twin 50 lap races that weekend (they were also having a T&T night at the drag strip) . But what I remember the most was just as they were starting hot laps they stopped the cars and let a trailer into the pits.Then they announced " That's Bobby Gill pulling into the pits ... he made it !!!) Because Gill missed almost all of hot laps and qualifying, he had to start in the back in his heat but he was able to quickly make it through the field to get to start the first 50 lap race in the middle but near the front of the pack & then almost win the 1st race. I think most of the people were rooting for him to win as they cheered as he got around anyone.
I don't remember much of the 2nd race as the kids were bored and my Wife gotten sun-burned so she was having no part of being nice. We left after the halfway point of that one.

I cut my teeth as a pre-driving model car building kid in the early ‘60’s going on Friday nights to the now long gone Sarasota/Bradenton Speedway where “Billy Gill” ruled the track with his ‘56? Chevy (as I mentioned before). Yup, maybe they were related? Likely were. Turn 4 had buried tires on the inside edge of the track & Billy would accelerate going into turn 4 and his left tire would raise up above the tire barrier and the engine wind up down the front straight! He was a local favorite for sure! Races there (short paved track) were wonderful to see!

Most drivers were weekend drivers consisting of local business men, doctors, attorneys, accountants & mechanics of course. The cars both early models and late models were something to watch.

Good times for us both for sure!

John

P.S. After reading your post again I just realized you said 1991?...we left Sarasota in 1987 and I don’t recall that track still being there. I do recall Bobby Gill racing in St. Pete Raceway, but maybe my memory is off?

 

[71350SS+454]

Didn't they just pave the dirt track ? and bring in the pavement oval racers who I think were more racers and probably filled the stands better.

Google Search

www.google.com

Maybe Billy Gill was Bobby Gill's son ? Also are there 2 different race tracks in Bradenton ? I see things about "Desoto speedway in Bradenton" and also stuff about Bradenton Motorsports park

 

[L78fanatic]

That could be the case but in the ‘60’s I don’t recall it being dirt. Maybe a little research is in order by us both? LOL!

It’s neat that you remembered Bobby Gill tho.

 

[71350SS+454]

That could be the case but in the ‘60’s I don’t recall it being dirt. Maybe a little research is in order by us both? LOL!

It’s neat that you remembered Bobby Gill tho.

How could I not remember him the way they announced him as he pulled into the track that night was like a big introduction !!!
Plus he almost won both the 1st race and was fighting for the lead when we left. I didn't want to leave but the Wife was feeling terrible and we had to go. It was a great night at the track that I won't forget.
She always came with me to the different race tracks and drag strips back then and lots of car shows later on.

 

[Shovelrick]

If you install good aluminum heads and keep the compression at or below 10.5-1 , you should be ok with 91 to 93 octane.
Just be sure to keep the timing in the range of 36-37 max.
Racing gas is so expensive ? Wouldn't a good set of heads pay for themselves ? I paid $1600 for a nice used set of Brodix Race-Rites.

I bought new S&S heads, pistons, big bore cylinders, stroker cases and new oil pump them had the existing 4.3/4” stroke S&S rods rebuilt and rotating assb. balanced, reused the S&S SFT .514/.514 lift 226? @ .050 dur cam, only parts in the engine that aren’t S&S are the Crane adjustable PR’s and those look just like my BBC Crane PR length checking tools, I don’t remember my spring pressures though since we built the engine in 2007, that was the 2nd time I rebuilt the engine and went “All In” for best parts, also had the S&S flywheels reconditioned and was balanced as part of rotator

 

[Shovelrick]

I cut my teeth as a pre-driving model car building kid in the early ‘60’s going on Friday nights to the now long gone Sarasota/Bradenton Speedway where “Billy Gill” ruled the track with his ‘56? Chevy (as I mentioned before). Yup, maybe they were related? Likely were. Turn 4 had buried tires on the inside edge of the track & Billy would accelerate going into turn 4 and his left tire would raise up above the tire barrier and the engine wind up down the front straight! He was a local favorite for sure! Races there (short paved track) were wonderful to see!

Most drivers were weekend drivers consisting of local business men, doctors, attorneys, accountants & mechanics of course. The cars both early models and late models were something to watch.

Good times for us both for sure!

John

P.S. After reading your post again I just realized you said 1991?...we left Sarasota in 1987 and I don’t recall that track still being there. I do recall Bobby Gill racing in St. Pete Raceway, but maybe my memory is off?

Bradenton track is still there and it’s on my list of “Got To Do” , the engine builder that did the machine work, installed my Lewis rotating assb. and dynoed it goes there fairly regular and offered to run my car down that track and Showtime aka Sunshine 1/8th track before I get behind the wheel, I can’t say he’s a Pro drag racer but been doing it since a kid and much more experiance than my 1 time going down Sunshine in 1978 in my 73 340 4spd Duster still need to align the front end and I think it’ll be ready

 

[Nashville Cat]

Bradenton track is still there and it’s on my list of “Got To Do” , the engine builder that did the machine work, installed my Lewis rotating assb. and dynoed it goes there fairly regular and offered to run my car down that track and Showtime aka Sunshine 1/8th track before I get behind the wheel, I can’t say he’s a Pro drag racer but been doing it since a kid and much more experiance than my 1 time going down Sunshine in 1978 in my 73 340 4spd Duster still need to align the front end and I think it’ll be ready

Sounds great. Let him do it and you'll know about how fast your car is.