Moth Balls

[tpunx99GSX]

I did a couple more searches and it proved to have a couple chemicals that has been proven to increase Octane. but like the quote states, they are no longer in moth balls probebly because of the flammable properties and the fact they are used usually around wool and clothing. lets see Flammable chemicals + Flammable Material + a nice spark = early 4th of july.

[Raptor]

One of the engineering sites I go to often just had this come up probably for the same reason Tom posted it. They had some interesting theories as to why the old style ones might have worked. I won't repeat it all because honestly, they are theories and while it is interesting, what benefit is it when there are a number of things available and more easily attainable that increase the octane rating and are known to work.

The most interesting part of the thread was the guy who started it requesting that no one made any jokes on how hard it was to pry their little legs apart. :lol:

[npaulseth]

Do you know what the octane rating even stands for? In no way at all would you be able to tell a difference at idle just from listening to it.

[A//// Guy]

Yea my car sounded mean as hell once when I put 110 leaded in it. :blah: haha that was funny.

I like the Joke Unreal!

[Alpine TSi]

Only thing I notice when I put 110 octane is that I start feel shinier faster when I sniff the exhaust compared to when it is only 92 octane.

[JDM]

1 Box Moth balls: $10
1 Litre Octane Boost $10
Watching someone actually try this on their own car: Priceless

There's some things money can't buy, for everything else, there's Tom.

[niterydr]

Originally posted by JDM@Oct 25 2004, 09:30 PM
1 Box Moth balls: $10
1 Litre Octane Boost $10
Watching someone actually try this on their own car: Priceless

There's some things money can't buy, for everything else, there's Tom.
OWNED!

[LightningGSX]

Old moth balls contained napthalene(sp?) which is from petroleum, and is about 90 octane.The myth came from way back before WWII when the average octane of gas was like 50-60, so adding napthalene moth balls actually did increase the octane.Now, if you could still find napthalene moth balls, adding it would be pointless since average octane exceeds that of napthalene.Anyway new moth balls are made from a chemical(I forget the name, but it breaks down into hydrochloric acid) which will definately be bad for an engine.

[npaulseth]

Originally posted by LightningGSX@Oct 25 2004, 10:44 PM
Old moth balls contained napthalene(sp?) which is from petroleum, and is about 90 octane.The myth came from way back before WWII when the average octane of gas was like 50-60, so adding napthalene moth balls actually did increase the octane.Now, if you could still find napthalene moth balls, adding it would be pointless since average octane exceeds that of napthalene.Anyway new moth balls are made from a chemical(I forget the name, but it breaks down into hydrochloric acid) which will definately be bad for an engine.
LightningGSX > the interweb and all of it's knowledge

[Raptor]

Here are two quotes from the board I was reading.

"I worked on the cleanup of a facility who manufacutred mothballs. The product (which they had made since the early 40's)was made from dichlorobenzene not naphthalene."

and

"This is really a stretch, but here goes. Leaded gasolines were formulated with scavenging compounds to help get rid of the lead residue from combustion. These scavenging agents were typically bromine (chemically a halogen, as is chlorine)compounds. It could be hypothesized that by adding a chlorinated benzene compound(mothballs), the lead scavenging would be enhanced and spark plugs would last longer, as well having less lead build up on valves.Performance wouldn't be improved but durability might be."

and finally

"Bromide lead scavengers are carefully balanced against the amount of lead in the fuel, so as to remove almost all of the lead. An excess of lead scavengers will also remove other metals, and is therefore highly undesirable. A little bit of lead is preferable to erosion of the valve seat and bores and piston tops"

So it would seem that since all old school mothballs were not made from Napthalene, you also stand a risk of not knowing which type you have and trying experiments with them could cause some damage.

So to some this up for tom.

trying the new style - potentially putting acid in your gastank
trying the benzene based old style - potential valve and seat damage
trying the napthalene based ones - not enough of an octane increase to notice
using C16 or other specifically developed high octane fuel - the expected results

Is there really any point to discussing mothballs any furthur? Just spend the money on the right fuel and you and your motor will be much better off.