93 octane instead of av fuel

[bfish413]

So im looking to purchase my first boat. the boat I'm Intrested in has a 4 cylinder lycoming 0320-160 in it.
the current owner says he has only run Av fuel through it.

my only hang up on purchasing this boat is where im located there's nowhere to purchase av fuel locally. 40 minute drive to get fuel, and the place I have to go they will only pump into cans. this isn't something I think I want to do regularly.

my question is, can u run a alternative fuel through this engine? like premium pump gas 93 octane?

any helps appreciated, this is all very new to me!

-Brian

 

[Blownaway540]

On that motor I think you will be fine, only concern may be valve seats as av gas has a bit of lead. We used to run Amaco 93 white gas only on motors with more compression/hp than that one. Hopefully others will chime in.

 

[Gary S]

A lot of people run pump gas in their boats. A lot of people have cylinder problems too. I see you have pacemaker ignition, did he also put bigger pistons in it? Personally my two boats one with a IO470 Continental and one with a angle valve O360 lycoming get Av gas. Back before ethanol a lot of people ran Amoco white.

 

[JLP3314]

I used to run this in my BBC CM DB engine to stop the detonation cheap lead free gas would bring to it.

https://www.jbtools.com/gunk-m5012-motor-medic-gasoline-lead-substitute-12-oz/?wi=off&wi=off&wi=off&wi=off&wi=off&wi=off&wi=off&wi=off&wi=off&wi=off&wi=off&msclkid=e9906de072f719907ea10cd983f93bcb

 

[Stars & Bars]

Both of my boats are aircraft, I tried to run 93......its not the same.
Run av or get a car motor boat.
Av makes these things dependable and right.
Just my 2 cents.
Good luck man!!!!

 

[John Fenner]

FWC runs nothing but 93 octane in their aircraft boats, brand new diamondback boats with jurnigan O540s, dropped seats, burnt pistons, I told the tech, dude, drop the timing back to 20° no problems since, so time it to 20° and let her rip.

 

[Slidin Gator]

FWC runs nothing but 93 octane in their aircraft boats, brand new diamondback boats with jurnigan O540s, dropped seats, burnt pistons, I told the tech, dude, drop the timing back to 20° no problems since, so time it to 20° and let her rip.

Yep, best part of the day is sitting under a shade tree watching them try to run those pigs up the hill to give me a safety inspection. Always puts a grin on my face when the trainee has to get out to wiggle the grass rake all the way.

I try to park so they can’t see the port side safety inspection decal from the water just for the entertainment. I usually offer them a jug of 100LL for the trip back to water. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[tdarr]

I have run high test gas in my aircraft engines but add lead additive / octane booster from auto parts store.
It is used in racing applications.
I have only had one valve seat pop out and that was my own fault for overloading boat and run engine very hot.

 

[Striker543]

I ran an octane booster from BND Automotive with 93 in my aircraft boat and it solved my pump gas problems. It’s not cheap but it works. You need to call to order the first time, after that you can just send an email.

For what it’s worth a lot of sellers claim their engine “has only had av gas ran through it.” A lot of the time that’s not true. I’ve seen one of my old engines get sold twice now and both sellers claimed it only had av gas through it even though I ran hundreds of gallons of 93 pump gas with the BND octane booster in it. That engine is still running great the last I heard.

 

[wmautrey@msn.com]

FWC runs nothing but 93 octane in their aircraft boats, brand new diamondback boats with jurnigan O540s, dropped seats, burnt pistons, I told the tech, dude, drop the timing back to 20° no problems since, so time it to 20° and let her rip.

Is that 20 degrees Before top dead center?

 

[terrible ted]

Ethanol can eat up carb parts. Best to run recreation fuel but you need more octane. Now what the compression? You can also pick up a 50 gallon fuel barrel and a pump to go get avgas or mix in some high test race fuel. Over the years I learned best to run avgas but every now and then I have to run pump fuel. You need to add lube to the fuel or lead additive. I have had my boat from 09. I would be curious what upgrades were made to the motor ask him about pistons- compression. I prefer to run avgas there a difference.

 

[John Fenner]

FWC runs nothing but 93 octane in their aircraft boats, brand new diamondback boats with jurnigan O540s, dropped seats, burnt pistons, I told the tech, dude, drop the timing back to 20° no problems since, so time it to 20° and let her rip.

Is that 20 degrees Before top dead center?

One would run very sluggish at 20°ATDC and sneeze a bunch, so yes, 20° BTDC.