Help what fuel to run?

[kevin s]

I've used both e5 and e10 and as we have hardened seats now no additive, seems to work fine. Whatever you are using I would change all the rubber fuel lines for a good quality ethanol resistant stuff, I've used Cohline, and if it hasn't been changed lately re-build the fuel pump with a new diaphragm.

[LaughingBoy]

I would use E5 plus an additive unless you have hardened valve seats. I use Millers VSPe Power Plus which claims to combat the adverse effects of E10 but I err on the safe side. VSPe additive also increases the octane value so the timing may need tweaking accordingly - the higher the octane value the slower the flame front passes through the combustion chamber (effectively the 'explosion' happens later) so the timing can be advanced slightly.

A truly belt & braces approach would be to use one of the new 99 octane fuels e.g. Esso Synergy Supreme 99 which is currently ethanol free (although from September '23 it is apparently transitioning to contain 5% ethanol) plus an additive!

[KeithL]

I've used both e5 and e10 and as we have hardened seats now no additive, seems to work fine. Whatever you are using I would change all the rubber fuel lines for a good quality ethanol resistant stuff, I've used Cohline, and if it hasn't been changed lately re-build the fuel pump with a new diaphragm.

Plus the plastic float if you have an SU carburettor.

[svenedin]

I've used both e5 and e10 and as we have hardened seats now no additive, seems to work fine. Whatever you are using I would change all the rubber fuel lines for a good quality ethanol resistant stuff, I've used Cohline, and if it hasn't been changed lately re-build the fuel pump with a new diaphragm.

Plus the plastic float if you have an SU carburettor.

Not just the float but the needle valve as well.

https://sucarb.co.uk/hs-stayup-float-ki ... valve.html

[exlkrs]

Lived through the changes to unleaded and up to the present. I've always run BL motors, and have never done anything to an engine, or used any additives. Never had a problem. Used unleaded ok, now run E5 with no problems

[svenedin]

Lived through the changes to unleaded and up to the present. I've always run BL motors, and have never done anything to an engine, or used any additives. Never had a problem. Used unleaded ok, now run E5 with no problems

Indeed. I think the main thing is to stick to the same octane rating fuel whatever is preferred. If the ignition timing is set for one octane rating and then the car is run on a higher or lower octane rating fuel then it will not run quite as well. A modern car can adjust the timing automatically using the ECR and knock sensors etc. The Minor cannot do that. These cars were exported all over the world and they certainly didn’t always run on premium fuels!

[Monty-4]

This website is a good read, as a 'Fact Check' and to counter a lot of the Doom & Gloom that gets published just to attract readership to websites and magazines.....
https://classicenginesmodernfuel.org.uk ... nu=1000001

I bought and read this book - extremely interesting. We could do with a write up that's pinned at the top of one of the technical sections (not volunteering ).

[Hudsonthemorris]

Thanks for all the replies I’m daily driving it at the moment so am not to worried about fuel sitting there rotting components but if it ever becomes a second car then I’ll switch over to an additive. Running on e5 at the moment.