Canned Gasoline?

[ultrarunner]

How did you know I had an old 1970 Craftsman Saw?

Also have a 1939 97cc motorcycle that takes 16 to 1 and an old Evinrude Lark 35

 

[ultrarunner]

How did you know I had an old 1970 Craftsman Saw?

Also have a 1939 97cc motorcycle that takes 16 to 1 and an old Evinrude Lark 35

 

[JerryK]

I was out in your barn rummaging around late last night when you were sleeping.... [ Mine is about a 1971 Craftsman 20"... made by Poulan. Still runs like a top.. I cart it around as my backup saw. Only probably run two tankfulls a year thru it these days.. ]

 

[MossRoad]

I was out in your barn rummaging around late last night when you were sleeping....

Yikes!!! :laughing:

 

[s219]

What I have been told, and have proven by trying, is that the proper ratio is not what the equipment calls for, but what the oil is rated for. I have successfully run modern synthetic 50:1 mix in my older equipment that was rated for 16:1 when they wrote the manual (because that is what oils of the day were mixed at). The 50:1 stuff is simply better at lubrication and doesn't need such a high concentration in the fuel.

I think it would be a waste to take 50:1 oil and mix it to a lower ratio (like 40:1). May as well just find some inferior oil and save yourself some money and some math. The 50:1 stuff mixed to 50:1 should be providing as good or better lubrication as older oils at their older ratios.

 

[ultrarunner]

I've heard the same... yet when I called one of the 50 to 1 manufacturers and asked about using in my 1939 Motorcycle where the manual states 16 to 1 I was told to follow the motorcycle manufacturer recommendations...

It's something I have run across with motor oil and antique cars that specify non-detergent oil... these engines have no oil filtration so keeping particles in suspension for the filter to pick up isn't an option.

I still have cases of 2 cycle oil from the 1960's... mostly for outboards...

 

[4570Man]

Well duh, of course they told you to follow the manufacturer instructions. If they had told you anything else guess who is liable for any damage. Contact an oil manufacturer and ask them about running 40:1 in a 50:1 saw.

 

[ultrarunner]

Kind of like using ethanol blends... one of my manuals states no Ethanol...

Called the manufacturer and said all I can buy here is Ethanol... manufacturer said to use marine stabil and to run tank empty...

GM said the same thing for one year and cars still under warranty were having problems... at first GM said the owner's manual said not to use Ethanol... but that is the ONLY fuel available... so GM honored claims within warranty even though they had expressly said not to use.

 

[Deere Dude]

I never heard of canned gas until now and I understand the differing opinions. The question I come across yesterday was what gas to get for my chainsaws and generator. I understand the ethanol non-ethanol debate but was wondering about the octane. Here i can get either 87 or 90 octane non-ethanol. I was told the station could not get 93 non-ethanol anymore. Maybe it is a local thing so he offers only 90 octane. I got 90 octane. Am I better using 90-93 octane or a lower 87 octane for chain saw?

 

[Fallon]

I never heard of canned gas until now and I understand the differing opinions. The question I come across yesterday was what gas to get for my chainsaws and generator. I understand the ethanol non-ethanol debate but was wondering about the octane. Here i can get either 87 or 90 octane non-ethanol. I was told the station could not get 93 non-ethanol anymore. Maybe it is a local thing so he offers only 90 octane. I got 90 octane. Am I better using 90-93 octane or a lower 87 octane for chain saw?

Technically Octane is a reference molecule. In practice, the higher the octane number, the harder it is to ignite the fuel. This is important for preventing knock, pinging, or preignition, which will destroy an engine when the fuel ignites on it's own, rather than when you spark plug is suppose to light it. Many people think high octane = better, it does not. Actually, the higher the octane, the less chemical potential energy is in the fuel. So if your engine doesn't have preignition issues, higher octane fuel actually decreases it's power output, not to mention the increased costs to do it.

So the best answer is, all things being equal,always run the lowest octane fuel you can without getting pinging. Of course ethanol & other additives don't make thing equal all the time. Stay away from ethanol as much as possible though.