0-360 octane?

[Bill Whidden]

I have an 0-360 A4M, on the engine plate is says 180 h.p. at 2700 rpm.
It also says " fuel-Oct. min 91/96. Does this mean it will take less than the 100LL? Probobly a Mahlon question if you are out there.

Bill Whidden

[hngrflyr]

The Peterson Auto Fuel STC allows use of 91 octane or higher auto fuel in 180 hp 0-360 engines in certified airplanes. I've been using Premium auto fuel rated at 92 octane in my 160 hp 0-320 in my RV-6 without probelms.

Bob Severns

[mahlon_r]

Yes it does. The engine was certified on 91/96, so if you could get that fuel you could run on it.
Good Luck,
Mahlon
"The opinions and information provided in this and all of my posts are hopefully helpful to you. Please use the information provided responsibly and at you own risk."

[Bob Axsom]

O-360-A4M is the stock engine in a Piper Archer. I ran through several of them in the 22 years I owned mine and I always used 100LL. I would never use anything else unless I had to. In the 1980s I used to fly into Mexico quite a bit and at that time I just had to go with whatever 100+/-? avgas was available. I never had any problem but I never knowingly took on any rated less than 100 octane gas. There are different rating systems but I am not prepared to give any insight on that. If you are seriously considering alternative to 100LL avgas you should do some hardcore research via Lycoming and assure that their specific requirements are complied with everytime you fuel up.

Bob Axsom

[Bill Whidden]

So it's certified to run on 93 octane auto fuel?? Or is 91/96 something special I havent' heard of?

[Bill Whidden]

Bob,

Wasn't out looking for an alternative, just noticed it on the plate and figured I would ask the question. Especially as expensive at av gas is getting.
I think I will call lycoming and see what they say. Sure would be nice to use 92 or 93 only if it was certified and "safe".

[tclour]

i burn the auto-fuel in my cherokee 180 with the petersen auto fuel stc. i have burned straight auto fuel but i usually mix it with some 100ll it runs fine never a problem with it the rental a/c a few hangars down burn auto- fuel pretty much all the time the engines go past tbo every time

[cawmd82]

What is the Peterson STC---a $500 FAA approved sticker and some pages for the POH or some actual hardware?

Anyone else running 93 autogas in an O 360? ECI, Aerosport, etc.?

CAW

[cawmd82]

Never mind on the first part of the above post. Peterson's has a decent website with a fair amount of pertinent information: http://www.webworksltd.com/autofuelstc/pa/wa.html


The question then remains: Anyone using 93 regularly in their RV? Reports, data, opinions, etc.??

CAW

[sf3543]

I have burned auto fuel in several planes, including my RV6 with a 160 HO O-320. (Not the O-360, but...)
In one case, the auto gas was much better because my plug fouling problem disappeared...in a Grumman TR2.
In my 225 HP V tail, I didn't notice any difference between how it ran with either auto gas or 100LL.
In the RV6, it ran fine, but due to the tight cowl and hotter environment, vapor lock was a consideration. A vapor return system would be best; however, mixing about 20% 100LL with the auto fuel will eliminate the vapor lock problem.
Other things to note: You will probably have to carry the auto gas, so there are some safety issues there to think about, Auto gas has a definite odor to it that 100LL does not, in auto gas, you have the problem of winter versus summer blends (the winter blend is more susceptible to vapor lock on warm days) and you need to be careful about contamination from water, debris and alcohol/ethanol.
I have yet to run my ECI IO-360, but I did ask them about using auto gas. They didn't really have a problem with it but suggested I break it in with 100LL to get some lead on to the valves and guides, and then an occasional tank of 100LL.