Full Version: auto gas
Is there an auto gas stc for go-300? Our local bulk site finaly got pure car gas.
STC Number: SE2105CE
Petersen Aviation, Inc
984 K Road
Minden, NE 68959
Description of the Type Design Change: Add approved fuel: unleaded automotive gasoline, 87 minimum antiknock index and leaded automotive gasoline, 88 minimum antiknock index(RON+MON)/2.
STC Number: SE01943CH
Experimental Aircraft Association Inc.
3000 Poberezny Road
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Description of the Type Design Change: Add the following approved fuels: unleaded automotive gasoline 87 minimum antiknock index, per ASTM Specification D-439 or D-4814 of any volatility Class, A through E, or 82UL AVGAS per ASTM D-6227.
The approval requires 2 337's be accomplished, 1 for the alteration of the engine, and 1 for the alteration of the airframe. You have to put placards near the fuel fillers on the wing and put a clamp on the engine oil filler tube.
I inspected a 150 that had the autofuel STC, but they only did a 337 approving it for use in the airframe, no paperwork was done approving it for use in the engine.
Petersen Aviation, Inc
984 K Road
Minden, NE 68959
Description of the Type Design Change: Add approved fuel: unleaded automotive gasoline, 87 minimum antiknock index and leaded automotive gasoline, 88 minimum antiknock index(RON+MON)/2.
STC Number: SE01943CH
Experimental Aircraft Association Inc.
3000 Poberezny Road
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Description of the Type Design Change: Add the following approved fuels: unleaded automotive gasoline 87 minimum antiknock index, per ASTM Specification D-439 or D-4814 of any volatility Class, A through E, or 82UL AVGAS per ASTM D-6227.
The approval requires 2 337's be accomplished, 1 for the alteration of the engine, and 1 for the alteration of the airframe. You have to put placards near the fuel fillers on the wing and put a clamp on the engine oil filler tube.
I inspected a 150 that had the autofuel STC, but they only did a 337 approving it for use in the airframe, no paperwork was done approving it for use in the engine.
The approval requires 2 337's be accomplished, 1 for the alteration of the engine, and 1 for the alteration of the airframe. You have to put placards near the fuel fillers on the wing and put a clamp on the engine oil filler tube.
Rick,
What is the purpose of the clamp on the engine oil filler tube?
Clay
Clay,
The STC follows the engine, not the airframe. The clamp is an "ID bracelet" with the STC information on it. I purchased the Petersen STC; they charged a buck per horse-power. If anyone goes that route, make sure the gas has no alcohol in it because it will degrade some fuel lines, gaskets, o-rings, etc. Be sure to check the gasoline in your area as it may not meet the spec that Rick listed, even though it shows the correct octane rating. The lead added to gas to raise octane reduces detonation. Car gas is not as stabile and provides little cushion for valves like 100LL, which actually contains more lead than "regular" gas use to. The STC comes with good information for use and checking for alcohol.
I mixed car gas in about a 2 or 3 to one ratio with 100LL to reduce lead buildup that was causing sticky valves. It seemed to cure the sticky valve problem, but if I had it to do over, I would have used an approved lead scavenger instead. Avgas actually works out to be a lot cheaper than engine replacement or over-haul, although we ran car gas for years in our C-172 with 0-300 with no problems. Not sure if the higher RPM of the GO-300 is an issue, but why take a chance to save a few bucks on fuel?
The STC follows the engine, not the airframe. The clamp is an "ID bracelet" with the STC information on it. I purchased the Petersen STC; they charged a buck per horse-power. If anyone goes that route, make sure the gas has no alcohol in it because it will degrade some fuel lines, gaskets, o-rings, etc. Be sure to check the gasoline in your area as it may not meet the spec that Rick listed, even though it shows the correct octane rating. The lead added to gas to raise octane reduces detonation. Car gas is not as stabile and provides little cushion for valves like 100LL, which actually contains more lead than "regular" gas use to. The STC comes with good information for use and checking for alcohol.
I mixed car gas in about a 2 or 3 to one ratio with 100LL to reduce lead buildup that was causing sticky valves. It seemed to cure the sticky valve problem, but if I had it to do over, I would have used an approved lead scavenger instead. Avgas actually works out to be a lot cheaper than engine replacement or over-haul, although we ran car gas for years in our C-172 with 0-300 with no problems. Not sure if the higher RPM of the GO-300 is an issue, but why take a chance to save a few bucks on fuel?
QUOTE (Doc Crouse @ Nov 5 2008, 11:38 PM) 
Clay,
The STC follows the engine, not the airframe. The clamp is an "ID bracelet" with the STC information on it. I purchased the Petersen STC; they charged a buck per horse-power. If anyone goes that route, make sure the gas has no alcohol in it because it will degrade some fuel lines, gaskets, o-rings, etc. Be sure to check the gasoline in your area as it may not meet the spec that Rick listed, even though it shows the correct octane rating. The lead added to gas to raise octane reduces detonation. Car gas is not as stabile and provides little cushion for valves like 100LL, which actually contains more lead than "regular" gas use to. The STC comes with good information for use and checking for alcohol.
I mixed car gas in about a 2 or 3 to one ratio with 100LL to reduce lead buildup that was causing sticky valves. It seemed to cure the sticky valve problem, but if I had it to do over, I would have used an approved lead scavenger instead. Avgas actually works out to be a lot cheaper than engine replacement or over-haul, although we ran car gas for years in our C-172 with 0-300 with no problems. Not sure if the higher RPM of the GO-300 is an issue, but why take a chance to save a few bucks on fuel?
The STC follows the engine, not the airframe. The clamp is an "ID bracelet" with the STC information on it. I purchased the Petersen STC; they charged a buck per horse-power. If anyone goes that route, make sure the gas has no alcohol in it because it will degrade some fuel lines, gaskets, o-rings, etc. Be sure to check the gasoline in your area as it may not meet the spec that Rick listed, even though it shows the correct octane rating. The lead added to gas to raise octane reduces detonation. Car gas is not as stabile and provides little cushion for valves like 100LL, which actually contains more lead than "regular" gas use to. The STC comes with good information for use and checking for alcohol.
I mixed car gas in about a 2 or 3 to one ratio with 100LL to reduce lead buildup that was causing sticky valves. It seemed to cure the sticky valve problem, but if I had it to do over, I would have used an approved lead scavenger instead. Avgas actually works out to be a lot cheaper than engine replacement or over-haul, although we ran car gas for years in our C-172 with 0-300 with no problems. Not sure if the higher RPM of the GO-300 is an issue, but why take a chance to save a few bucks on fuel?
Would seem like it is not worth the problems. Just use alator or something like that. I have had stuck valves twice. on takeoff ofcorse. not real fun at 6800 ft. The additves seem to be some what hasmat. But I have lots of nitral gloves. None with my Gibson cycl. though.
Peterson's STC covers nearly all single engine airplanes that are 200 hp or under. The problem is twofold: The high compression engines don't perform as well on 87 octane, and finding it without ethanol is almost impossible. I have owned airplanes with Lycoming O320s and O360s that perform as well with the autofuel as avgas, but it is a pain in the butt to transport it, store it and safely transfer it to the airplane. The lower compression engines, such as the Continental and Lycoming 300 and 200 cube engines do pretty well with it, as well as the old Franklins. I think you defeat your purpose by mixing it with avgas. I would rather alternate fill-ups between mogas and avgas. I have never had a problem with mogas, and engine performance seems to be a little better with it. I think the alloy of the valves and valve guides have more to do with its use than anything else. I think brass alloy valve guides tolerate 100LL better than the alloy used in the old ones. From a non-scientific viewpoint, I would not use mogas in high compression engines like the GO-300, but would prefer it over avgas in the older low compression engines. I know some of my notions may not square with other's experience, so I welcome criticism. That's how we all learn. 
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.