Lead substitute

[Chevy nutcase]

If I wanted to no longer need to buy lead substitute what do I need to do to my 250 or 292 to end its dependency? I recall the valve train is the cause like adding hardened seats and guides but is there other things that depend on this additive?

[SkinnyG]

Back in my mechanicing days, you'd get Stellite exhaust valve seats put in the heads, and that was it.

[Steeveedee]

No other things depend on tetraethyl lead. In fact, tetraethyl lead in gasoline required addition of a detergent to keep the deposits down. Shell used TCP (tricresyl phosphate); most everybody else used ethylene chloride or ethylene bromide. All three of those are deadly poisons, as is tetraethyl lead. One reasons exhaust systems last so long post-leaded gasoline is the eliminated use of these detergents.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Most 292 engines have hardened seats already. All engines made from 1971 on had hardened seats. Unless you are doing some hard driving you don't need hardened seats or an additive using unleaded gas.

George

[jayoldschool]

You don't need an additive.

[forestb]

I know that this is a chevy truck sight but I have a F*#D car question about leaded gas and additives. I just bought a 62 Thunderbird with a 390. Should I be using a additive. The PO said he never used any but he had only driven the car 10,000 miles in 30 years. It has 88,000 miles on it now.

[AcampoDave]

I never use it in my '66. It's a 283 and I've put a lot of miles on it. Compression check was good last time.

[forestb]

cool thanks

[rideblue00]

I dont have hardened seats in any of my old stuff, i dont use additives and have not had any problems.