Fuel octane rating

[Donald Ross]

Hello

I have been using E5 95 octane standard Jet brand fuel in my 1098cc morris minor since I have owned it.

I see my local fuel station also sells E5 97 octane petrol (premium fuel).

Would this be better or worse for the morris minor to run on. Is a higher octane rating better for the engine.

I assume this would make the engine run hotter so could this cause any damage or is it safe to use?

As I don't use the car a lot there is a fair carbon build up in the engine so would this help burn some of the carbon off?

Also even although I have a unleaded head and a fuel catalyst do you think it would be a benefit to use a lead additive which also neutralises ethanol and gives a small octane boost?

Thanks
Donald Ross

[philthehill]

Use the 97 octane fuel every so often - say every third tank fill - no need to fill up with 97 octane every time. No damage will occur to the engine even if you run it on 97 octane all the time.

[Donald Ross]

Ok thanks for the advice.

When I next fill up I will get the 97 octane fuel.

Do you think valvemaster lead additive which now protects against ethanol would be beneficial to the fuel system and engine too?
Here is the link to there site: https://classicvalvemaster.co.uk/

Thanks

[philthehill]

As the actress said to the bishop "every little helps"

[KeithL]

We have run all our petrol cars on higher octane petrol, usually Shell V-Power for many years without any problems - 1098 Morris Traveller, MX5 and XK8. They all run smoother on V-Power although I'm not going to make any claims about improved fuel economy beyond saying it is no worse. I'm also led to believe there is less ethanol in V-Power as the volumes sold don't really help the company reach their 5% target and since all 3 cars are susceptible to ethanol then it can only help. When the Morris had to have a head gasket change recently the engineer said the engine was very clean. Whether that is down to the V-Power I can't say.

[ManyMinors]

We have run all our petrol cars on higher octane petrol, usually Shell V-Power for many years without any problems

Then again, I have run my Minor daily for many years on nothing but the cheapest supermarket unleaded fuel. No additives, no "unleaded head" no changes at all. And I haven't had to change the head gasket either

[Donald Ross]

Interesting.

I think I will begin with using jet premium every 3rd tank or so and see how it goes. May also get the lead additive I spoke about in a above post as it says it reduces the effect s of ethanol.

Will try better fuel first and go from there.