Fuel Grade Recomendation?

Steverinomeiste · Post by **Steverinomeiste** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 12:10 am

Hi Everyone
I had my CA95 on the open road yesterday and I am interested in getting all I can reasonably expect from this little old engine. I hate to admit I filled her up with a fresh tank of regular and I wonder if that was a mistake.
Also, on this test ride, my family followed me downtown in the wagon to the frozen yogurt shop. We went in and got our yogurt and sat down. Pretty soon a guy about 30 or so came up to our table and said "you're the only one with a helmet under your table so that must be your Baby Dream out front!" Turns out he and his father have been salvaging motorcycles out of barns and backyards for many years. He has hundreds of them. About a dozen of these are various models of Dreams. The funny thing he told me was although he's seen them at shows, mine was the first he has seen on the road being used for it's intended purpose. I don't think I can remember seeing one either. At least since I was a kid.

Sam Green · Post by **Sam Green** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 12:54 am

Nice.

ByTheLake · Post by **ByTheLake** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 2:20 am

Nice story, Steve. I'd love to see this guy's collection. When I ride my Benly, I typically get this question from enthusiastic old-timers: "Is that a 300?", and when I shake my head and say "nah, it's the 150", their smile seems to dim and they utter something like "ah, well it's nice anyway" as they walk away. Too funny.

I've had fuels from 87 to 92 octane in my CA95 and it's made no noticeable difference. Runs the same for me. You shouldn't have any issues.

Larzfromarz · Post by **Larzfromarz** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 6:37 am

Just if possible try to find non-ethanol fuel. Usually marina's have it if you can't find it locally at the your gas station. Compression is low enough any fuel should give decent performance. IF you are really lucky and have local airport see if they will sell you 5 gallons of 100LL av gas (the feds are try to eliminate that too). 100 octane and contains the lead these old valves and seats are used too. Just be prepared to pay 5 or 6 bucks a gallon.

Rocketsled · Post by **Rocketsled** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 7:42 am

It's unrelated, but I run premium in our 1964 429 cu in Cadillac, otherwise it detonates and burps and runs-on when you go to turn it off.

ByTheLake · Post by **ByTheLake** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 11:24 am

Rocketsled wrote:It's unrelated, but I run premium in our 1964 429 cu in Cadillac, otherwise it detonates and burps and runs-on when you go to turn it off.

It's mainly driven by compression ratios - the higher the compression ratio, the higher the octane requirement to avoid pre-ignition/detonation.

The '64 Cadillac 429 CID had a 10.5:1 CR compared to 9.7:1 for our beloved CA95 Benly (but only 8.3:1 for the general export C95), so the '64 Cadillac would likely require a higher octane. You can drop that Caddy in my driveway any time.

VegeKev · Post by **VegeKev** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 1:24 am

Intersesting....where did they generate the extra compression w/ regard to the difference from the CA95 to C95?....piston height/shape or combustion chamber?

Kev?

ByTheLake · Post by **ByTheLake** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 4:13 am

VegeKev wrote:Intersesting....where did they generate the extra compression w/ regard to the difference from the CA95 to C95?....piston height/shape or combustion chamber?

Kev?

Sam is the authority on that topic, but I'm fairly certain that the CA95 has a different piston that the C95.

Rocketsled · Post by **Rocketsled** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 5:38 am

ByTheLake wrote:It's mainly driven by compression ratios - the higher the compression ratio, the higher the octane requirement to avoid pre-ignition/detonation.

The '64 Cadillac 429 CID had a 10.5:1 CR compared to 9.7:1 for our beloved CA95 Benly (but only 8.3:1 for the general export C95), so the '64 Cadillac would likely require a higher octane. You can drop that Caddy in my driveway any time.

Interesting...You'd better make some space, it's over 21 feet long.

Untitled by Matey-O, on Flickr

Larzfromarz · Post by **Larzfromarz** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 6:05 am

Land cruiser! Nice Caddy...
I think the compression is due to a bit more squish in the combustion chamber.

ByTheLake · Post by **ByTheLake** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:21 am

Rocketsled wrote:Interesting...You'd better make some space, it's over 21 feet long.

Untitled by Matey-O, on Flickr

Too funny. When I was 16, I bought a highly-used 1954 Cadillac Fleetwood factory limousine. I thought it was the most beautiful thing on the road. It got between 4 and 8 MPG and I really couldn't afford to keep it fed with my pizza shop wages. Sure wish I had that now.