Best Fuel for JD 3020 Gasser

What are the negative consequences of burning either 87 octane with 10% ethanol or 91 octane with 0% alcohol in a 1965 John Deere 3020 gas engine? Those are the only grades available at the local co-op. Can get alcohol-free 87 octane at local gas station, but it is more expensive than either of the two grades at the co-op.
 
The cheapest gas you can find should be just fine in it. You need to remember back in 1965 gas was not what it is today and was low octane. Ya it did not have the alcohol in it but it also did not have the additives gas has now
 
Thanks. Back then, the gas also had lead in it as well. The 10% ethanol is definitely the cheapest around here, just know some people don't like to burn it in older engines.
 

Put a pertonix on it. Place tractor on a dyne and tweak the idle and mains mixture while adjusting the timing for best efficiency, not peak power.
Sometimes there is power and efficiency there that has been overlooked.
 
Well you opened a HUGE can of worms here. LOL I try to run non ethanol gas in my older gas tractors. The main reason being is the ethanol blended fuels are nasty when stored very long. If your running the tractor all of the time then you MAY be fine with the cheaper gas. Just try and run the carb. dry when you going to store the tractor for much over a week or so.


I also think that the fuel is different in different parts of the country. I have had terrible luck and lots of problems running ethanol base blended gas. I am in Eastern Iowa. Other fellows state they have ran it for 30 years with zero issues. I do not think they are lying but I know it causes problems around here.
 
I run the cheapest gas I can buy at least at the one gas station I go to. Found if you go to the place that truckers buy from it is more likely to be better gas then ones that truckers do not use. Years ago I got some gas form one place to fuel up for a snow storm. Next day no tractor would start. Found all the sediment bowls where full of ice and I have NEVER gotten gas form that place again. So I run the cheap gas in every thing I own other then the chain saw and weed eater and those get no alcohol gas.
 
If I stick to no-alcohol gas, do you think the 91 octane is too hot for this age engine? It is actually cheaper than the 87 octane at the local Casey's.
 
"High Test" gas is simply tougher to pre-ignite by compression, allowing it to be used in a higher compression engine without detonation/knock..

It isn't "hotter" or something a relatively low-compression engine "enjoys" like a special "doggie treat"!

Wonder why folks ASSUME all that?
 
My 'ol 4020 gasser "Ingrid" does just fine on E-10, in the photo she's pulling her guts out blowing snow. Still breaker points ignition, and running on the set of points that came with her when I got her nearly 10 years ago.

I've had pretty good lock with her, compared to all the New Gen "gasser" horror stories that find their way to this site!

<img src = "http://oi65.tinypic.com/idexaw.jpg">
 
The higher octane will only hurt your back pocket it sure as heck will not help it run better. One big key to this 10% alcohol gas it not to let it sit for 6 months before using it because if can/will absorb water and then you have water in the gas which is a problem
 
I run mid grade Gas with ethanol which what every station sells around here. I add Briggs and Stratton fuel stabilizer to fuel and have no problems storing up to 3 years and combats the effects of ethanol.I stay away from cut rate cheap fuel. I knew one of the managers of one of the major cut rate staton and a lot of their fuel came from tank farms that were pumping (cleaning) out the bottom of tanks.
 
Thanks everyone, for the comments, and especially for the reasoning behind your choices. I know the people on the YT forums know a lot more than I do about old tractor engines. I always learn something from this group.
 
(quoted from post at 09:45:32 07/07/18) Well you opened a HUGE can of worms here. LOL I try to run non ethanol gas in my older gas tractors. The main reason being is the ethanol blended fuels are nasty when stored very long. If your running the tractor all of the time then you MAY be fine with the cheaper gas. Just try and run the carb. dry when you going to store the tractor for much over a week or so.


I also think that the fuel is different in different parts of the country. I have had terrible luck and lots of problems running ethanol base blended gas. I am in Eastern Iowa. Other fellows state they have ran it for 30 years with zero issues. I do not think they are lying but I know it causes problems around here.

Just 2 days ago I started my 1940 Farmall M for the first time in over one year. E-10 in the gas tank when I parked the tractor. She started up and ran without a glitch. I drove it around the yard for about 20 minutes. It never offered to miss or stumble in any shape or form.
 

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