Adding ATF to gas

A friend told me he adds some ATF to his gas, does this sound right. Or should you add it to your oil. Or is it a bad idea?

Lube up the engine.

It would be for top cylinder lube. Same principal as adding Seafoam, Rislone or Marvel Mystery. I rebuilt my little flat head 4 in my Atom then put it in storage for about 10 years before it went in the boat. On start up I had a stuck valve and remembering the Marvel oil the old mechanic used at the marina I went and got some. The stuck valve was free and the engine runs great. I still add it to the gas occasionally. I do use it as a fogging oil. ATF is a high detergent oil that will keep the combustion chamber clean.

Snake oil from the days of splash lubrication.

I knew a guy that used to drain the old oil, fill it back up with a new filter and ATF then run it five hundred miles then drain. Replace filter with another new one and add fresh oil.

Never heard of ATF in the gas though.

I burn the neighbor's gas in my vehicles so what ever he uses I use. I only siphon a little each night so he doesn't miss it.

Many old timers use (used) ATF as a top engine cleaner. I've seen several mechanics (a few who I really trust) just pour it (slowly) right through the top of the carb while the engine was running. I guess it would serve the same purpose when mixed with gasoline. Not sure if I'd use it at every fill up though.

Hogwash! That's what it is. I don't necessarily disagree with any of the ideas that ATF may help, but I wouldn't do it. Change your oil regularly (using quality oil), run good gas (fresh or use Stabil), and run it WOT quite often. The best known running engines anywhere are the post office and UPS. They stay running all day long, every day. No additives, and most run over 500,000 before rebuild.