Is running unleaded in a 850 Spider ok?

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Is running unleaded in a 850 Spider ok?

khnitz

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I will be picking up a 1973 850 Spider in April - it belongs to a family friend and has been sitting in storage since ~1980. Once I get it back to the house, I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions over time.

But, my first concern is about whether it is safe to use modern unleaded gasoline in this motor? From the research I've done online, it seems that engine metallurgy from the mid-60's onward seemed to be far enough along that those engines had valves and seats from materials that could handle unleaded gas. So, maybe there isn't a worry there.

Then the next thing is dealing with the ethanol in today's gasoline. There are very few stations around me that are claimed to still have some non-ethanol gasoline available. What additives are older Fiat owners using to treat pump gas, then?

I'll post some pictures of the Spider once I get it home after Easter.
 
Maybe I should ask this in a different way:
  • What fuel are you using to run these older cars?
  • Do you treat the fuel? If so, with what treatments?
  • How many miles have you driven with your fueling ritual and have there been any side-effects?

Thanks!
 
Maybe I should ask this in a different way:
  • What fuel are you using to run these older cars?
  • Do you treat the fuel? If so, with what treatments?
  • How many miles have you driven with your fueling ritual and have there been any side-effects?

Thanks!


Hi Guys.

most fiats after 1971 ish are supposed to be ok for unleaded as they have steel valve guides.
generally i use 95 ron petrol but every third tank use 98 ron super. i don't go below quarter of a tank and i use a lead replacement additive sometimes. i've not had any side effects from unleaded and been running my 850 spyder since 1993. i have other 850's and those are fine under the same conditions.

If I use them on a race track for events I add octane booster too.

i hope this makes sense

Tim
 
Hi Tim,

Thanks for your reply - that is all very helpful!

Karl
 
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