L31MaxExpress
I'm Awesome
Agreed on the additives. Most of the cheap gas lacks Top Tier additives and prone to carbon buildup.Another advantage is as we go up in octane the additive packages are mo’ better. One reason mid grade cost only 5 cents more 30 years ago was it had the same additive package as regular. Today it has mo’ better additives, and of course costs more.
The problem is the new EPA sulphur rules. Higher octane gas has less sulphur so refineries are blending it into low octane fuels to reduce sulphur, and in the process making mid grade and premium more scarce, thereby raising the price.
My old 350 was pretty clean running top tier fuels. Most of these engines have big flakey deposits on the pistons. The dished pistons tend to get a ton of crusty carbon buildup compared to flat tops because of the lack of quench effect aiding in proper combustion. Because of the pistons texture it tends to build a little on it but mine was much cleaner than most. I need to get a picture of the pistons on my 383 from my bore scope. But the smooth finished flat top pistons are nearly spotless in it.
You must be registered for see images attach
This is just a random typical used short block off google images. Way more buildup on this one. My engine was also sludge free running synthetic oil. I have pulled dozens of dished piston small blocks apart that look just like this one.
You must be registered for see images attach
Last edited: