#1  
Old 11-16-2020, 11:59 AM
michaelddaigle@yahoo.com michaelddaigle@yahoo.com is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 6
Default 1970 Grand Prix 97 Research Octane

Click image for larger version

Name:	97 research octane.jpg
Views:	187
Size:	81.1 KB
ID:	554079

Click image for larger version

Name:	Grand Prix.jpg
Views:	172
Size:	81.3 KB
ID:	554080Hello All,

New comer here with a question. Just acquired a 1970 Grand Prix with a 400 that had been garaged for the last 20 or so years. After a little bit of tinkering and a new timing chain set it's back on the road. My question is in regards to the sticker on the fan shroud stating " Engine Modified To Use 97 Research Octane Premium Fuel ". It states that this is a factory modification. Could anyone enlighten me as to exactly what that sticker means ? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thx,

Mike

  #2  
Old 11-16-2020, 12:48 PM
johnta1's Avatar
johnta1 johnta1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: now sunny Florida!
Posts: 21,237
Default

Interesting.
I only heard of it on chevy.
Was this car an export car at one time?

Very good looking GP.


__________________
John Wallace - johnta1
Pontiac Power RULES !!!
www.wallaceracing.com

Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova
Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats

KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever!


"Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts."

"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates
  #3  
Old 11-16-2020, 12:53 PM
michaelddaigle@yahoo.com michaelddaigle@yahoo.com is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 6
Default

Hell John,

Thx for the reply. The car was bought down in Jersey and to the best of my knowledge never left the states. The tag is correct though. If we don't run Race Fuel or Octane Booster it pings.

Thx,

Mike

  #4  
Old 11-16-2020, 01:21 PM
Chief of the 60's Chief of the 60's is offline
Suspended
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: On the Rez
Posts: 3,233
Default

Sounds like a dealer added an advance curve kit in it so that the timing comes in quicker. If you didn't want to deal with race fuel or a mix you could take a few degrees of timing out of it and run premium pump gas. You'll lose a little bit of power but it will be power you'll never notice at regular street driving.

  #5  
Old 11-16-2020, 01:23 PM
michaelddaigle@yahoo.com michaelddaigle@yahoo.com is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 6
Default

We did try taking a few degrees out of it but still pings.

  #6  
Old 11-16-2020, 01:27 PM
Chief of the 60's Chief of the 60's is offline
Suspended
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: On the Rez
Posts: 3,233
Default

One of my cars has 12.85 CR and runs C-12 at the track. I take 6 degrees out and run pump gas on the street with no ping. I'm sure you don't have 12.85 CR

  #7  
Old 11-16-2020, 03:36 PM
77 Canamman's Avatar
77 Canamman 77 Canamman is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 4,022
Default

Today's octane numbers are an average of Research Octane and Motor Octane. Research numbers are higher. You'll see the formula on the pumps (R+M/2)

__________________
1976 LeMans B09 Freeway Enforcer, 455/M40 Smokey

1977 Trans Am, 400/M21 Black/Gold Bandit. 44K actual miles

2017 Sierra SLT 1500 Z71 4X4

2019 Canyon SLT Crew 4X4

  #8  
Old 11-16-2020, 04:03 PM
north's Avatar
north north is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,388
Default

The manual it refers to on that sticker is the Delco United 60A-100. This manual is primarily the standard Delco parts catalog for non-GM dealers (auto parts stores etc).

Must be some kit they were selling in the day to allow a high compression engine run on lower octane fuel. typically thought of for countries without high test but some people here did it for other reasons, saving money by buying regular fuel etc.

__________________
My Break Away Squad
1969 Fbird (Base, 350 & Sprint Cvt’s - 400HO & TA Hardtops)
1969 LeMans (2dr & 4dr Hardtop and a Cvt)
1969 LeMans Safari 2 seat Wagon
1969 GTO (2 Cvt, 2 Hardtops & Judge Hardtop)
1969 Catalina (3 Cvt’s & a 2dr hardtop)
1969 Ventura 2 Seat Wagon
1969 Executive 4dr Sedan
1969 Bonnie Cvt
1969 Bonnie 3 Seat Wagon (2 of them)
1969 Bonnie Brougham (4dr Hardtop & Cvt)
1969 Grand Prix SJ (2 of them)
1969 2+2 2dr Hardtop (Canadian model)
  #9  
Old 11-16-2020, 04:10 PM
michaelddaigle@yahoo.com michaelddaigle@yahoo.com is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 6
Default

Thx for the replies. We did do a compression check after installing a timing chain set and they were all around 210-225 with the throttle wide open.

  #10  
Old 11-16-2020, 04:11 PM
north's Avatar
north north is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,388
Default

btw, 97 research octane is about 91 by the average number used on American pumps, which was the rating for regular leaded back then. The fact that they refer to Research on that sticker does make me think the sticker was for a kit designed for use outside the US or Canada. Perhaps the original owner of the car had to use his car in latin America where they only had regular fuel?

__________________
My Break Away Squad
1969 Fbird (Base, 350 & Sprint Cvt’s - 400HO & TA Hardtops)
1969 LeMans (2dr & 4dr Hardtop and a Cvt)
1969 LeMans Safari 2 seat Wagon
1969 GTO (2 Cvt, 2 Hardtops & Judge Hardtop)
1969 Catalina (3 Cvt’s & a 2dr hardtop)
1969 Ventura 2 Seat Wagon
1969 Executive 4dr Sedan
1969 Bonnie Cvt
1969 Bonnie 3 Seat Wagon (2 of them)
1969 Bonnie Brougham (4dr Hardtop & Cvt)
1969 Grand Prix SJ (2 of them)
1969 2+2 2dr Hardtop (Canadian model)
  #11  
Old 11-16-2020, 04:16 PM
michaelddaigle@yahoo.com michaelddaigle@yahoo.com is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 6
Default

I am the second owner of that car. To the best of my knowledge that car never left the U.S. but I will ask his family tonight. Thx again.

  #12  
Old 11-16-2020, 04:49 PM
Held for Ransom's Avatar
Held for Ransom Held for Ransom is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 8,912
Default

Was it ever in California? Mid-70s had some weird stuff happening there.

__________________
So long, farewell.
  #13  
Old 11-16-2020, 05:00 PM
OG68's Avatar
OG68 OG68 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Chula Vista, CA
Posts: 1,475
Default

Only thing going on in California was the NOX kit that was required for 55-72 vehicles. Ram Air cars for some reason or another were exempt. My local 76 station proclaimed my 68 as a Ram Air car and I received an exempt sticker.

__________________
Ed

1968 GTO (Thanks Mom)
2006 Silverado
2007 Cadillac SRX
2015 Chevy Express

  #14  
Old 11-19-2020, 08:54 PM
GpFreak's Avatar
GpFreak GpFreak is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central New York
Posts: 378
Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by michaelddaigle@yahoo.com View Post
Thx for the replies. We did do a compression check after installing a timing chain set and they were all around 210-225 with the throttle wide open.
How many cranks/revs? Terminal compression possibly that high.

__________________
Steve Naresky
  #15  
Old 11-20-2020, 12:35 PM
michaelddaigle@yahoo.com michaelddaigle@yahoo.com is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 6
Default

Cranked around 6-8 revolutions on each cylinder.

Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:28 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017