Gas for ‘66 122 IH Cub…
 

Hi folks! I was wondering if unleaded gas is ok to use in these old machines, or if you need to add that lead substitute? I got this mower free, it sat in my brother in laws garage since 2006 when it was last used. He thinks the VR is shot(could be generator problem also, just ran off battery when running)…

Un leaded w/NO ethanol.
Ad a couple oz of Marvel Mystery Oil per gallon.
Been doing that for years now w/no issues

Plain regular ethanol fuel is all I use in ALL of my vintage stuff.
Big farm tractors, old vintage automobiles/trucks Etc.
I don't like it but as long as you don't let the fuel sit for over a year in the carb
bowl, I have no problems.
Again, I don't like it but I ain't paying $1.00-to $2.00 more for non leaded gas that has set in the stations tank for who knows how long because they sell so little of it, its not fresh.
I also use no "snake oil or lead in a can" :beerchug:
That is my story.

They sure sell a lot of it around here In Iowa, available most everywhere.
When I store my machines, I shut the gas off at the tank and let them run out of gas. They always start when needed.

This has come up multiple times.
Ethanol in gas actually acts as an antiknock compound, the gas companies went with tetraethyl lead because that they could patent and license. Having ethanol in gas helps prevent rusting in metal tanks because it doesn't collect in the bottom of the tank, it dissolves into the gas where it doesn't do as much damage diffused out across the whole tank and doesn't build up in a sediment bowl either.
The thing I've learned with these machines is after decades of neglect doing a good cleaning of the carburetor and properly adjusting the carb so the engine runs well with the gas you use. I add a bit of sea-foam gas additive to my cans of gas since they can sit around for months and is supposed to help reduce buildup in the carb.

Plain regular gas.... no problems. Just don't let that stuff sit a long time in any equipment. On the my 125, I shut off fuel and run carb dry every time I finish my weekend duty.

Regular fresh gas,no ethanol,no snake oil,gas does get stale,so you have to come up with a solution for you! I personally pour my cans of gas after 4-6 weeks in my car,it works for me