Spitfire Triumph Spitfire , what fuel to run Her on with no engine history?

F

FASTWAY

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• Sep 6, 2020

• #1

Hi , ive recently bought a 1972 Triumph Spitfire , ive been told shes had an engine rebuild and is now kitted up to run on unleaded , however there is no paperwork to back this up , the engine has covered 97K , doesnt look like its been rebuilt but a compression test at a garage 2 years ago showed a perfect 150 across all four cylinders...without stripping her down , is there anyway of telling which is the best fuel for Her?...thanks

 

D

DavidApp

Yoda

Gold

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• Sep 6, 2020

• #2

Here in the US I try to stick to Ethanol free fuel at for my TR3A which I know does not have hard valve seats. What fuel options do you have in the UK?

David

 

OP

F

FASTWAY

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• Sep 6, 2020

• #3

Hi DavidApp , really just unleaded petrol , which is fine if the cars been converted , if not then a lead substitute added to the unleaded petrol , but when your not sure of the engine its a hard call to make....

 

LarryK

Yoda

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• Sep 6, 2020

• #4

I drove a 1973 Triumph GT6 for 10+ yrs on unleaded fuel. Was not babied driven. Took head off once for a valve problem, but seats were never recessed or worn. According to the then dealer the seats were already hardened in anticipation of mods for performance.

 

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DavidApp

Yoda

Gold

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• Sep 6, 2020

• #5

I was going to have the seats done when I rebuilt my motor but the shop seemed unsure of the process so I decided that as I was unlikely to be doing 1000s of miles I was better off leaving the seats standard rather than the shop learning on my head.

David

 

LarryK

Yoda

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• Sep 6, 2020

• #6

Very smart decision. If the shop cannot do Triumph, they can't do much. Same process as any iron head.

 

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FASTWAY

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• Sep 7, 2020

• #7

Thanks Larry , kinda think thats the road i may well travel....(eek)

 

Madflyer

Jedi Knight

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• Sep 8, 2020

• #8

How many grades of gas do you have? Here on the West coast and in some State's , there can be as many as five. On the East side of Nevada they try to push 85, but car mag. say do not use. In Oregon they have 87 with Ethanol and 89 with out. Union 76 stations just a few sell racing fuel 98. A simple rule the higher the number the slower the burn that adds power and less heat. Just adding fuel additive ever other tank or so won't hurt either. Madflyer Cheers Mate

 

LarryK

Yoda

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• Sep 8, 2020

• #9

You cannot use the 85 in the Spit. Not made for 15% ethonal. Never use methanol as it deteriorates fuel lines and pumps and carbs. 89 is a safe bet. I always use 93 in my old cars. All the blends have injection cleaners that really are not good in old carbs. Racing fuel is good for racing if you change timing, plugs and retune. But has no additives. Use the least amount of fuel addditives as pump gas has enough additives and the bottles you buy have a percentage of alcohol (water). If you change plugs and have a red tint, you have more than enough additives.

 

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FASTWAY

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• Sep 8, 2020

• #10

Thanks all of you , i think every other tank i will put some lead substitute in since i dont have enough engine history , do any of you ever use anything like redex every now and then on an old car?

 

LarryK

Yoda

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• Sep 8, 2020

• #11

Unless you are going to race it, additive not necessary. I also belong to SCCA and we do fuel checks for lead. Not allowed per rules.

 

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FASTWAY

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• Sep 9, 2020

• #12

Blimey , thanks Larry