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Octane rating

B

Bill Brox

Member
Hello.

What kind of gasoline octane rating was used by farmers in the US, let us say 1953 ? Did they use the same gas that people used on cars, or was it a lower grade fuel ?

I am asking because I have come into a little odd discussion about an engine that has about 230 cubic inches, 2000 rpm, and is said only to produce 48 horsepower, and in 1953. This sounds like a very low figure to me. I have studied car engines from around 1953, and it seems to me that 6.8:1 to 7.0:1 was a common compression ratio, and I have also looked at tractors from that time, and I have come to that unless it is a very unmodern engine that really is lacking behind in development, the engine should have more like around 60 horsepower.


Bill
 
Didn't take time to look up the answer. But, Ford was still making the flat head v8 in the early 50's, and I think they were about 230 CI and about 60-85 HP, Joe.
 
In 1953 the octane rating was 80.5 they had TEL (lead) as the anti-knock additive. The 230 inch engine that made 48 hp at 2000 rpms is about right for that time period. A lot of things factor into it like port size, valve size, lift from the camshaft, combustion chamber design, flathead, or overhead valves. Flathead engines didn't gain much if any by increasing compression ratio. The air flow in, and out of the flathead engine is where you make power. What engine exactly were you talking about. [/i]
 

The engine was the then brand new Ferguson Overhead Valve 4 cylinder engine meant to be put in the TE-60.
It was meant to have 60 horsepower, that was the intention.

But papers says it had only 48 horsepower.
 
The secret Ferguson TE60, from what I've read it was designed for 100 hp, but testing started with the 48 hp engine. After the tests with the 48 hp engine the 60 hp engine was supposedly go in the tractor. Its a shame Ferguson destroyed all the information on the TE60, and the TE60 tractors.
 
Another thing to remember is that tractor engines are often de-rated to maximize engine life. An engine capable of producing a maximum of 60 hp at 3000 rpm in a car might be de-rated to produce 40 hp at 2000 rpm, when used in a tractor.

You also have to remember that the tractor engines of the late 40"s and early 50"s were basically using late 1930"s technology due to manufacturing and cost limitations. Many of todays innovations were actually conceived in the late 20"s but the cost and/or availablilty of material"s, control technology and manufacturing technology was just not available nor cost effective until relatively modern times. A TO-30/Continental Z129 put out ~ 30 hp/129 cu in = 0.23hp/cu in. IIRC our normally aspirated Subaru 2.5L put"s out 225hp/152 cu = 1.48 hp/cu. Part of that the 10.3 CR vs 6.6 CR on the Z129 and part of that"s de-rate so it"s a bit of an apples and oranges comparison. Nonetheless, materials and technology have made that possible.
 
Another tangent here Bill, but the unlike the UK or Europe, there was no 'farm fuel', like the pathetic 60 octane or TVO kerosene? mix i suppose in the states? People just burnt leaded gas where it was the cheapest. It's just an additive isn't it? I remember a pump with about 6 choices... on a click switch, but one pump and one hose huh? In most places difference was just 'road tax' in the truck and car, on farm could take untaxed... if you could find a dealer around you. At 15 cents a US/4 liter gallon, and a tax on that of??? 2 or 3 pennies? The delivery of non taxed was- still can be, more expensive than just pumping it into cans in town, and go home. Octane was whatever you paid for, 90 -93 odd in the Oldsmobile, cheap 80- 87? stuff for the fergie.. i don''t remember the year, but by around 1980 lead was rare. There is a bait shop in OK that miner buys leaded gas to put in his 'Harry Ferguson investments'... and his lawn mower... the place sells it for old fashioned motor boat engines, there is a popular fishing lake there... but i am a... chicken.... connoisseur......
 
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