Chevy 350 HO Crate Engine Fuel?
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Boardman,Ohio
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chevy 350 HO Crate Engine Fuel?
In 2000 I put a new 350HO in a 20' Imperial cuddy cabin. The engine has been flawless every season. It does call for 92 octane. I have used mostly 89 and some small amounts of 87 and really don't notice a big difference. With fuel cost at these levels, what would running 87 do to the engine? At this point I certainly don't want to compromise anything. I was just curious to hear from a good engine person out there.
Thanks
Tom
Thanks
Tom
#2
SORE MEMBER
Platinum Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: 29°50'49.74"N 95° 5'17.55"W.......TEXAS
Posts: 6,989
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Boat motors run at maximum load coming on to plane and accelerating, the very small amount you save with 87 octane may well cost you a burnt or dropped valve or even a broken piston due to detonation.
I would stick with at least 89
I would stick with at least 89
Last edited by Wobble; 05-07-2008 at 09:01 PM.
#5
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
iTrader: (1)
You will destroy that motor if you continue to run it under a load with 87 octane,it was built to run on 92. I had one in a 1/2 ton truck a few years ago,if a gas station lied about their octane it would spark knock and rattle hard. It would rattle on 89 also,your problem is you'll never hear the detonation in a boat,it will just crack one of its hyperutectic pistons and come apart. I broke a piston at 22,000 miles on mine,switched them to forged,luckily the skirt that broke just made a constant ratlle and moved up and down with the piston instead of ending up wrapped around the crankshaft,Smitty