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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Lead additive?

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Discussion Topic: Lead additive?

Chevguy49Ford

11-01-2009 @ 4:35 PM

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Posts: 70
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I am getting very conflicting opinions on whether I need to add it to my fuel or not. Some people say the new unleaded fuels have additives that do the same thing, some say unleaded fuel is ok as long as you drive the car pretty easy, some say you absolutlely need the additive to keep from pounding out the valve seats. I have been using it but I am wondering if I need to.

Cheers, Scott.

1949 Custom Tudor.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/35thLE/49016.jpg

ford38v8

11-01-2009 @ 6:58 PM

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Scott, It's doubtful that any flatheads are on the road today that haven't
got hardened valve seats. Also, the gasoline that is available today is of
high enough octane that lead is not needed, and is harmful to the
environment anyway. Another additive that is not needed in a flathead is
the zinc that was recently removed from engine oil. Zinc shortens the life
of catalytic converters, so it was removed. Not saying there aren't engines
that do need it, only that no stock Ford flathead needs it. The lack of zinc
is a serious issue for early Cad and Olds engines, but not Fords.

Alan

supereal

11-02-2009 @ 9:29 AM

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Amen, Alan. Finding a "flat" camshaft in a flathead is rare, unless it is an aftermarket type. We see lots of bad cams in our shop, mostly Chevys and Mopars. We built a big block Chevy for a customer's nice street rod this summer, and the expensive camshaft lasted less than 60 days. There are lots of additives on the market for one purpose or another, but most are just greasing your wallet.

Chevguy49Ford

11-02-2009 @ 10:04 AM

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Alan, I am lead to believe that the engine has never been apart in this car. I can trace the owners back far enough to know that the mileage of 75,000 is correct and not 175,000 so I suspect the car does not have hardened seats. Will the use of unleaded fuel destroy my seats if this actually is the case? Thanks.

Cheers, Scott.

1949 Custom Tudor.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/35thLE/49016.jpg

ford38v8

11-02-2009 @ 5:35 PM

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Scott, I've heard that there was a short period where the Ford engine did
not have hardened seats, but I don't know the years. That said, I've also
never heard of the early predictions of valve seat destruction ever coming
true. The use of a lead additive certainly won't hurt your engine, but very
doubtful it will help, either.

Alan

Chevguy49Ford

11-03-2009 @ 7:37 AM

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Thanks Alan, if nothing else using it might help to lower my already sky high stress level. I have enough to worry about already.

Cheers, Scott.

1949 Custom Tudor.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/35thLE/49016.jpg

supereal

11-03-2009 @ 8:57 AM

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We routinely install new seats in engine rebuilds. The main reason is that most engines have had several "valve jobs" over their life, and it is difficult or impossible to obtain sufficient material for yet another duty cycle. So far, we haven't seen any "valve seat recession" since alcohol gas arrived. Most valve seat failure is the result of incorrect clearance, or loosening of a poorly installed seat. Each time there is a broad change in fuel or oil, it brings out the fast buck boys to sell additives. Most valve problems occur in engines that are operated for long periods of time under heavy loads at high rpms, such as tractors and industrial applications, not old cars.

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