Lead additive in fuel

MSS3020 · Nov 12, 2013

Any folks on here still add lead to gas fuel once in a while?? just curious. Is there benefit if you dont do it on every fill? Any benefit at all?

nh8260 · Nov 12, 2013

I put it in my older tractors, mechanic told me that it does something with the valves, keep them hardened or something, don't really remember.

36 Coupe · Nov 12, 2013

Lead additive contain diesel fuel Read the label.

1130Leo · Nov 12, 2013

I add a little Marvel Mystery Oil every once in a while, my mechanic says it helps lubricate the valves. Smokes a little, but I would rather have it smoke than to burn it up.

ShadetreeRet · Nov 12, 2013

Tetra-ethyl lead was introduced in the 1920s as an octane booster, which allowed higher compression without pre-ignition or "knock". It also helped prevent excessive wear on exhaust valves and seats.
When lead was outlawed, vehicle manufacturers had to develop hardened valves and valve seats.
Many older engines, such as tractors, can be re-worked to accept newer hardened valves and seats to prevent this excess wear.

Ellis Kinney · Nov 12, 2013

It might be an additive, but I seriously doubt if it has lead in it. Read the label. I have 3 Farmall M tractors, and had the heads re-worked when I had the engines overhauled. Stellite valve seats I think.

old · Nov 12, 2013

Just a simple snake oil that is sold to waste your $$ and is pretty much worthless

buickanddeere · Nov 12, 2013

An old wives tail.
How long do valves last in LP, natural gas, unleaded gasoline highway vehicles and in diesels? None have "lead".
Ever notice that once vehicles went from leaded fuel and carburetors. To unleaded fuel and fuel injection. Engines instead of barely making 100,000 miles as an oil burning rattling mess. Now a 300,000 mile gasser is still running fine and doesn't even rate as news.

dr sportster · Nov 12, 2013

Causes crud to build up on the piston domes.

jimg.allentown · Nov 12, 2013

I have been a "heavy metal" mechanic for over 40 years. I remember well how engines were "back in the day" when leaded gas was the norm. On average, I saw 3 valve jobs per week and usually one brought in on the hook with a rod through the side of the block. Upon teardown, the engine usually contained several pockets of a light gray and sticky mess of goop in the oil pan. cylinder heads, and around the lifter valley on V-8s.
By the late 1980s, valve jobs were more like once every six months I might see one. Engines simply did not throw rods nearly as often.
What was the big difference??? LEAD in FUEL!!!
IMHO the best thing that ever happened to engines was the removal of lead from the fuel.

As a side note, I have a 1954 Packard Cavalier that I have run on unleaded regular for over 5 years. Still the original valves and seats.

MarkB_MI · Nov 13, 2013

How are you adding "lead"? The only form of tetraethyl lead you can buy is 100LL avgas. Anything else is pure unadulterated snake oil.

dej(Jed) · Nov 13, 2013

(quoted from post at 15:37:03 11/12/13) An old wives tail.
How long do valves last in LP, natural gas, unleaded gasoline highway vehicles and in diesels? None have "lead".
Ever notice that once vehicles went from leaded fuel and carburetors. To unleaded fuel and fuel injection. Engines instead of barely making 100,000 miles as an oil burning rattling mess. Now a 300,000 mile gasser is still running fine and doesn't even rate as news.

Your comments make too much sense to be accepted. LOL.

DaninKansas · Nov 13, 2013

Agreed. Fuel injection doubled the life of gas engines.

Adding Overdrive to most vehicles did little to nothing to their longevity or even their mileage until fuel injection made low revving engines economical. A carbed engine running at a low RPMs tended to run rich and still waste fuel. Multiport fuel injection with carefully metered fuel amounts are what added mileage and engine life.

Lead additive in fuel

MSS3020

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nh8260

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36 Coupe

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1130Leo

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ShadetreeRet

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Ellis Kinney

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old

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buickanddeere

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dr sportster

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jimg.allentown

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MarkB_MI

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dej(Jed)

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DaninKansas

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