gas questions

[neiloneil]

was curious what type of gas most use in their older trucks...any one use lead additives since the Ethanol Fuel has been introduced?

[Martin64]

I just use regular unleaded.

[Eagar1]

The only reason gas had lead in it was to lube the valves and maybe raise the octane level a bit. There are additives available to replace the lead that you have to pour in with each tank. Most engines have had their valves redone due to valve recession, and have had hardened seats installed so they can use any of the unleaded fuels. You can just use the regular unleaded unless you have an original classic you arent going to drive much that still has the original heads on it.

[markeb01]

Agree with Eagar1 - the other additive which works well on older original engines is Marvel Mystery Oil. It specifically lubricates the valves when mixed in the gas. My dad, neighbor and many of the old timers I grew up around all used this stuff in all their cars, by installing a Marvel Inverse Oiler. It was an automated drip feed that lubricated the upper cylinders in reverse proportion to engine vacuum. They still work great and can be found on Ebay once in a while. What did them in was the catalytic converter, which outlawed additives of this kind.

[BR3W CITY]

i use premium unleaded in my 66. Don't HAVE to but i like having the extra protection against detonation. If your motor is even a remotely modern rebuild, it will have the hardened valve seats for unleaded gas.

[neiloneil]

i thought the lead also brings the boiling point up which would help with vapor lock