-------------- Original message --------------
From: PAUL WENTINK <randalpark@xxxxxxx>
> This post from Burt corresponds exactly with my understanding of the
> situation regarding unleaded gas and our cars.
>
> I will also add that I have been told that through 1955, Chrysler
> automobiles were able to withstand unleaded gas. This wasn't
> deliberate, but rather it was after that the engineers realized that
> since lead prevented valve and valve seat wear, hardened valves and
> seats were not necessary. Beginning in 1956, the cylinder heads were
> changed slightly as a cost saving measure. The engines built from then
> on required leaded fuel to prevent wear for extended high speed
> driving. I would like to know if anyone has also heard this or knows it
> to be true. Remember, lead wasn't added to prevent valve and valve seat
> wear. It was added to eliminate pre-ignition and increase the octane
> levels. The fact that it also allowed for a cost reduction in producing
> engines was a bonus for the bean counters.
>
> I drove various Imperials as everyday cars in the '70s & '80s, mostly
> my '56 & '65 models. It was in the late 1980's that leaded gas vanished
> from our area. I began using Bardahl Instead-o-Lead with each fill up.
> At the time, it was rated as a quality product. Also, the speed limits
> were Federally regulated at 55, so whether this additive actually
> worked or not, the engines were not working hard enough to cause much
> damage due to unleaded gas. I discovered that I was using too much of
> the product and eventually it caused the cars not to run well. I had
> the tanks drained and discontinued using it. There are probably two or
> three unused cases somewhere in my garage.
>
> These days, there are 75 mph speed limits, which means some folks are
> going to drive 80. I think driving our cars using unleaded gas for
> extended periods at these speeds will cause accelerated valve and valve
> seat wear. Rather than relying on an extra cost additive, I plan to
> take it easy on the road. When the cars require valve work, I'll have
> the cylinder heads reconditioned with hardened valves and valve seats.
>
> I believe that this is the only truly correct approach for me to take,
> particularly since most of my cars are around the point where they
> would be needing valve work as part of the regular maintenance of the
> engine anyway.
>
> Paul W.
>
> Paul W.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Burt Bouwkamp
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:42 pm
> Subject: Re: IML: Lead additive
>
>
>
> Michael,
>
> Â
>
> When we developed and tested the Chrysler engines in the 1950's and
> 1960's we did it with a tetra ethyl lead additive (3 cc's per gallon I
> think) in the gasoline. It worked - in fact the engine relied on the
> lead deposits to avoid valve seat wear at high engine HP outputs. (Wide
> open throttle at high engine speeds results in high valve temperature
> and high speed valve action.)
>
> Â
>
> Young engineers - such as myself - did not know that lead was providing
> this benefit until we started testing engines with "no lead" gasoline.
> Valve seat recession during testing due to wear required us to
> harden valve seats or add hardened inserts to production engines to use
> unleaded gasoline. You probably remember that the auto and petroleum
& gt; industry used a lead additive - until it was banned - because it was
> the cheapest way to produce gasoline with the octane rating that we
> wanted.
>
> Â
>
> I don't know what happens to valve seat wear when you add Marvel
> Mystery Oil or ATF to the gasoline. I use am STP Lead Additive in the
> gas tank of my old cars but they are driven so few miles - and usually
> below 60 MPH - that I doubt that it makes any difference. I only do it
> because I have personally inspected durability test engines (with
> around 1,000 hours operation) with more than 1/4" of valve seat wear
> due to testing with unleaded fuel. If I ever have the engine rebuilt in
> my 1968 Dodge Charger I will have hardened valve seat inserts added.
>
> Â
>
> Burt Bouwkamp
>
> Â
>
> ---- Original Message -----
>
>
> From: Michael Alexander
&g t;
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 1:01 PM
>
> Subject: RE: IML: Lead additive
>
>
>
>
>
> I just bought a bottle of Lead Additive at Advance Auto, which says on
> the bottle â??for older cars which need leaded gasâ??. Anyone have any
> experience with this product?
>
> I guess my choices for the 1952 Imperial are: Marvel Mystery Oil, ATF,
> or this stuff. Online voting begin!!!
>
> Seriously though, thanks,
>
> Michael Alexander
>
> Â
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gary Wilson
> Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 10:01 PM
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: IML: Reces sion Unleaded Gas: MMO vs. ATF
>
>
> Â
>
>
> I don't know about running a qt of oil thu the tank but ATF works real
> well because it is a high detergent and helps coat the valves seat like
> leaded gas use to do.
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
>
>
> From: YBSHORE@xxxxxxx
>
>
>
> To: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
> Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 6:17 AM
>
>
>
> Subject: IML: Recession Unleaded Gas: MMO vs. ATF
>
>
>
> Â
>
>
>
>
> Fellow Imperialists:
>
>
>
> Â
>
>
>
>      On my 1956 Imperial w/354 Hemi/Torqueflite 3 speed combo, I run a
> Marvel Mystery Oil blend through the fuel tank at every fil l-up
> according to the specs on the bottle and have had great luck with it [I
> use it as well in the motor oil] and change the oil quite often, every
> 1500 miles. I wonder, though, if it is providing the same degree of
> 'engine maintenance' that the ATFÂ does/would do with a periodic run
> through. Any thoughts?
>
>
>
> Â
>
>
>
> Jack
>
>
>
> Â
>
>
>
> Â
>
>
>
> Â
>
>
>
> In a message dated 10/25/2007 9:03:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> randalpark@xxxxxxx writes:
>
>
>
> like the idea of running a quart of oil through the gas once in a
> while. I have found that it does improve performance.
>
> Paul W.
>
>
>
>
> Â
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
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