ghill@estec.esa.nl> 96-11-19 11:28 wrote:
> Nick,
> I'm running a '73 BGT here in Holland and although they haven't
> introduced compulsory unleaded yet, it will be coming soon. I plan to
> get a lead-free head fitted as soon as funds allow
> and hope that the valves don't give up in the meantime.
Gary,
I didn't follow the start of this thread but, in the november newsletter of
the MGCC Holland was a - translated - article from the secretary? of the
NAMGBR in their MGBDriver magazine.
Basically the opinion was, and I agree completely, that you can safely
drive your MGB around with leadfree gasoline. In some cases, like when
you race your B, or when your engine is alreday bad, your valves will get
burnt or scored more quickly. In all other cases it is hardly noticeable that
you're using lead free gasoline.
And, if due to using unleaded gas, your head/valves go bad, that is the
time to replace it for use with unleaded gas.
So first drive with unleaded, and then replace the head instead of
replacing and use unleaded. This will save you money. And you don't
have to be afraid that your engine will quit suddenly. Valve recession
goes very slow. You'll notice it when it happens :-)
At present I'm switching every tankfilling between unleaded 'super', and
'super with lead substitute' .
Years ago, when I was a student, I had an old Toyota (no flames please -
I said old!) which I converted to drive on LPG (only Europeans do that - I
think- ) to save the environment,no lead, and my wallet. Everybody told
me, because of the higher operating temperature of the petroluem gas I
had to convert the head with hardened valves. I figured that I would do
that when the time was there. Well, concluded, the complete car was one
rustbucket after 200000 miles, but the engine was still running smoothly
after 100000 miles on LPG.
Bert Otten
'66 B
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