In a slightly different direction, Tom and Ray Magliozzi, our talk show
mechanics, have said that older cars need lead to cushion valve seats.
Therefore, there are lead substitutes for that purpose. However, that's
the only place I've heard that, and I tend to agree with Egil, that lead
shouldn't be that significant. I'd say, if it's a choice between lead
pollution or damaged valve seats, I'd damage the valve seats (or
injection pumps).
Jim Ruwaldt
'72 TR6 (being restored)
On Fri, 28 Mar 1997, Egil Kvaleberg wrote:
> On 26 mar 1997, RICHARD.JACKSON@NENE.AC.UK wrote:
>
> > I know sod all about TR6's although ISTR someone saying that the Lucas pump
> > needed Lead
>
> You hear that being said many places, but I think it is just old
> superstition. There is nothing in the Lucas manual to suggest that lead
> is required.
>
> A friend of mine with a TR6 wrote to an oil company asking about this, and
> got an answer in writing that the unleaded fuel would not harm his pump.
> Which should mean they were serious - they would risk liability claims if
> harm was caused.
>
> The tetraethyl lead could only have a lubricating effect at elevated
> temperatures (as found on the exhaust valve), they said. Which makes
> sense to me. I have been driving my 2.5 PI on unleaded for a few years,
> and have not had any problems. FWIW.
>
> Egil
> --
> Email: egilk@sn.no Voice: +47 22523641, 92022780 Fax: +47 22525899
> Snail: Egil Kvaleberg, Husebybakken 14A, 0379 Oslo, Norway
> URL: http://home.sn.no/home/egilk/ PGP: finger:egilk@sn.no
>
>
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