snake oil/additives...

[Gsmblue]

Generally I steer clear of everything except the occasional seafoam or Techron in the fuel tank.

But I was intrigued by "Restore"

https://www.restoreusa.com

Now, the reason why I was intrigued was because of a guy I watch on youtube "Project Farm". This guy is not sponsored, he is a Veteran and he just likes testing things in a pretty scientific approach.

This is the original post he did 2 years ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr8jIwVyIFE

And this was the 1 year later follow up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXIu3oo8z4c

What are your thoughts? snake oil or not?

[Gary Lewis]

I typically shy away from additives, aka snake oil.  But I do use certain additives for specific problems, like Seafoam for transmissions that have gummed up.  Or seal sweller for transmissions that leak and you just don't have time to change the fluid.

But it is hard to deny that guy's experience.  I've watched several of his videos and he is usually pretty scientific in his approach.  So I believe it happened.  However, you have to think about what the problems might have been for an additive to work.  I'm guessing that the rings were stuck and the additive somehow broke them loose.

In other words, it happened to work for that engine, but I seriously doubt it would for one that was completely worn out or had broken rings.  So, I think I can say that the right additives can work for certain specific situations.

[Rusty_S85]

depends on the product.

I use the Stabil360 that helps combat ethanol fuel problems as well as cleaning your system.  Will probably still use it with my EFI conversion just have to read up make sure its O2 sensor safe.

The purple ice stuff, Ive used that before with good success it sounds like hokey magic but its actually a proven product that helps remove surface tension of water so it will make better contact with your cylinder walls as well as your radiator to help with heat transfer in a more efficient manner.  Will be using it on my truck as well.

The other thing I use is Redline`s Lead Additive for my old '56 just cause the engine never has been apart.  Only one out there without bad reviews of hung valves.

There are some other products out there like blue devil that work and weve used them at work before as a patch job for a customer that didn't want to spend the money.

But some of that stuff out there is hokey and doesn't really do anything.  Like the additive to your fuel tank to change the smell of your exhaust which I bet only works if you have a raw smelling exhaust.

[old55pete]

I have used the bubblegum additive in the fuel in my pure stock and mini stock and it does smell like bubble gum.

I also saw Restore used in a Ditch Witch trencher with a 4 cyl Dutez diesel in it. I am gonna say the it did run pretty good after it fired up on starting fluid. It did get some power back but it only lasted a couple of weeks trenching 10 hours a day. Then the miss came back and the puffing grey smoke.

[Rembrant]

I've generally steered away from additives as well, but I'm not totally against trying them. I've tried several different diesel fuel additives and cetane boosters over the years, and while they probably did help with the water in the fuel and things like that, I never did see any changes in MPG or power, etc.

I've used the Zinc additives in the oil of a VW diesel I had. It was one of the dreaded camshaft eating 2006 models, and I figured every little bit would help. Did it help in the end? I have no idea...but it there was at least some psychological benefit, and that's worth something...lol.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I think the thing that makes exhaust smell best is VP or Sunoco (nee Cam2) 110 leaded!
Man, there's nothing like ridiculous compression.

Some snake oils have their place.
Rislone or Marvel Mystery Oil will get lifters moving and loosen sludge.
But so will a quart of ATF in the crankcase before an oil change.

[Gsmblue]

Good points being made here!

I can say after 1 week of restore being in Espy (Bronco) I can feel a difference in power absolutely. Also, the start up smoking is greatly reduced.

I need to make a list of these products.

[Gary Lewis]

You need to tell us what the problems were and how it has changed.  Would be good to know.

[Gsmblue]

Just an old tired engine. Lightly smokes when cold. Oil fouled plugs when I changed them a month or so ago. Uses a bit of oil but runs great when warm. Nothing major or surprising.

I saw the video and thought I would give it ago as I needed to top off the oil anyway.

It is not a miracle cure, but should make the next few months easier until I can get to build an engine this winter!

[old55pete]

Both cars run on 110 Sunoco and the pure stock is 10:1 and the mini stock runs 13:1 and a 588 lift cam with a 128 duration made by Iski

[ArdWrknTrk]

So why would you pollute that devine smell with cotton candy?

I used to use an ELF race gas in the superbikes that smelled like a crack pipe and would eat the aluminum tank and carb bowls through if left overnight.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Isky make a great race cam!

I think Bill will back me up on this.

Purple fuel is the best!!!

[85lebaront2]

Yes sir, the one he sent us to use in a friend's B/P Corvette back when they couldn't use the angle plug heads flew. We were running the new Charlotte road course and oval. The late Jim Fitzgerald could lose Dick on the infield course, and Dick would catch and pass him on the oval. Jim comes by the pits gesturing to his crew with the "who the heck is this guy?" action. Later when we were all cleaning up he asked who built the engine, Dick looked at me and I said sure. I'll tell him, told him I built it in my garage in Newport News.

I built a few, an MG 1800 for an Elva Courier to run Sebring. Tuned a Spridget engine for a fellow, the builder wanted to know what I did to it, a lot of the secret was the driver, he had brass balls and could slide that unsynchro first car through a corner sideways.

[Rusty_S85]

I was kind of curious of trying the reefer scent that I saw they have to mess with the old pot head at work.

But since I am going fuel injection now, I got to be careful what I put in the tank to make sure its 02 sensor safe.

I believe the Stabil 360 ethanol treatment is 02 sensor safe which is good for me as it helps to clean as well and I believe its 2 oz per 10 gallons.

[Rusty_S85]

lol Some times its fun to have a exhaust scent other than raw fuel.

Its like everyone loves the spray I use in my truck at least I used to use when I was still driving it.  Little did they know the scent was called "Stripper Scent" by chemical guys.  What sold me on it was the one review I saw that said something about how it doesn't come with glitter so it completes the whole striking out feeling.  Me I wouldn't recommend it cause they did change the formula back in 2018 and it is lucky to last a day where the old formula was concentrated and would last almost a month when I would soak a clean white shop rag and toss under the seat.  To me the original scent smelled like big hair 1980`s is the best way for me to describe it.

[ArdWrknTrk]

So, it smells like BPD, daddy issues and childhood abuse?

Hell no!
Keep that far, f a r away from me.

[Gsmblue]

I had a rental car once (on a  business trip) that had red glitter all over the inside of it and smelt like cheap stripper perfume.  

I went back to the desk and told them it was unacceptable, when they asked why I told them I am allergic to glitter. That got them off their butts double quick!

[ArdWrknTrk]

I can't imagine being the rental employee who had to try and vacuum all the glitter out of that car.

Do you ever bring a black light on business trips?  

[Gsmblue]

Having run this additive for a month, my fuel economy is up. way up.  I was consistently getting 8mpg the last year or so, and the last fill I got 11.5mpg, this was over 100miles.

Once I get to 100miles on the odometer I will fill again and report back

I am most surprised!

[FuzzFace2]

Is this using the stuff you started this post on?
Dave ----