Topic: Unleaded gas


rogbell    -- 06-06-2011 @ 12:38 PM
  This might seem like a stupid question but am I ruining the engine in my '41 by using unleaded gas? As far as I know the flathead is completely stock. I know I had to have hardened valve seats installed in my Mustang but not sure about this one. Thanks for the advise in advance.


supereal    -- 06-06-2011 @ 12:51 PM
  No stupid questions here. We haven't seen any evidence of valve seat erosion with the "new" gas. There were dire predictions of trouble when unleaded came on the scene, sort of like the predictions of cam problems with the reduction of ZDDP (zinc) in the oil. As a matter of course, we do install new seats in the flatheads we rebuild because the wear usually doesn't leave sufficient material to make proper angles. If the valves, particularly the exhausts, don't have a full seat, they tend to burn quickly. If your car is running well, don't worry. Our flatheads are strong, slow turning engines that have lasted for decades with often minimum attention. High revving engines, such as the Mustang, are a different story.


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