Unregistered users may browse the website, but in order to participate in the forums and view select pages (such as "Club Contacts" and "Classified Ads") a user account is required. Click HERE to email the webmaster and request a free account. The National DeSoto Club uses real names rather than pseudonyms. Notify the webmaster of your user name preference (Johnathon Doe vs. John Doe, etc.), preferred email address, and password request.
Hi Everyone - It was recommended to me that I run ethanol-free gas in my 55 DeSoto if possible. I found a place close to me in Orange, CA that sells Sunaco 110 octane racing fuel that says it has no ethanol in it. Is this a good choice? Has anyone ever used?
https://www.sunocoracefuels.com/fuel/standard
Thanks so much,
Jay
Way more octane and probably prohibitively expensive. From their profile details, they only sell it in 5 gallon cans.
There may be other options. You might call around and ask some local stations. Many times the high octane gas at the pump is ethanol free.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
DO NOT run this gas in your car. You are fine with 87 octane. The whole ethanol thing is somewhat overblown, provided that we're talking about an ethanol blend of 10% or less. Verify before pumping.
I installed a NOS fuel pump on my 58 Plymouth in 2008. This pump was manufactured in the 60s. I wanted to see how long before it quit on me, considering that I was running 10% ethanol fuel. It's still fine. I did rebuild the carburetor with modern, ethanol-resistant gaskets. The issues I have run into are minor: The fuel in the bowl will evaporate faster. So if you go more than a couple of weeks without running the car, the bowl may be dry. Also I've encountered a sticky choke issue, which is due to me only using the car one or two times a month.
Also changed out the rubber hoses on the fuel lines to modern rubber lines.
Ron
I agree with Ron. If real gas is easily available, the car will probably run better than with an ethanol blend, but for the most part it's not a big enough deal to go to great effort to find pure gas.
I know people that have chosen to use pure gasoline in their daily drivers and they claim to get about 10% better fuel economy over the ethanol blend, too. Still not a big deal on our classics that are driven on less than an every day basis.
I'm surprised to look at the listings for Kansas and see that finding pure gas is relatively easy in my area.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Thanks for the responses gentlemen! There is slim pickings for this kind of fuel in my area it would seem. This station used to have that gas at the pump, now just in the 5 gallon cans. Well okay then, I have a Shell station by my house. At the pumps by my house they have 87, 89, and 91 octane fuel. So I am fine to go with any, just so long as ethanol is less than 10% in each?
Thanks,
Jay
Any octane of E-10 should work fine!
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
I've found many places close to Lake Michigan have ethanol free pump gas for marine use. It usually costs a little more, but not too bad. Check at a lake near you!
This website shows most of the gas stations that currently (or recently) offer non-ethanol gas and what the octane is.
