Regarding the possible need for leaded gas in a TR3 that's been slumbering
for 10 years, Tom Walling and/or Wendy Rose wrote:
>I'm not sure that you need to anything but drive it.
>As far as needing new valves and guides,
>I would suggest a "wait and see" approach.
>a lot of the initial flap about engine
>damage/wear was not based on experience,
>but on guessing and trying to predict
>what might happen.
Others will disagree, but I think that's very good advice. Whether the
currently available unleaded gas will work in a particular car depends a lot
on the condition of the engine, any modifications that have been made, how
it's going to be driven and how many miles are going to be put on it. If and
when the engine is overhauled, a decision can be made about installing new
valve seats.
A word about "lead substitutes" . . . virtually all of the fuel additives
found in auto parts stores do NOT contain lead. As far as I can tell, it may
be technically illegal to use lead-bearing additives.
In any event the available "substitutes" may or may not supply either the
octane boost or the valve lubrication of lead. Some of those additives have
been demonstrated to be worthless for any purpose.
Mixing race gasoline with pump gasoline is a dangerous and expensive
business, and also appears to be illegal - it certainly wouldn't be of much
help on an extended trip.
Jim Hill
Madison WI
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