Hi List,
Here is an interesting article out of England (Triumph Club) regarding the
best product to use in their classic cars as their country goes to unleaded
gas by year 2000.
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE FEDERATION OF BRITISH HISTORIC VEHICLE CLUBS
issued 20 March 1999
FBHVC ENDORSES LEAD SUBSTITUTE PRODUCTS
Conference looks to the future of Historic Motoring
Historic vehicle enthusiasts worried that the disappearance of leaded petrol
at the end of this year could curtail the use of their cherished cars, motor
cycles and historic commercial vehicles were heartened by the announcement
that the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBH VC) is endorsing
four lead substitute products as adequate for all normal driving.
The announcement, made at the FBHVC's annual conference at the Heritage
Motoring Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire, marks the completion of an extensive
programme of testing at the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA). This
was intended to measure the resistance to valve seat recession afforded by
commercially available lead substitutes, for which no standard test existed,
despite the great claims made for these products by their manufacturers.
The FBHVC realised early on the effect that the withdrawal of leaded petrol
would have on the entire historic vehicle movement, and - in the absence of
any initiative from Government or national standards institutions anywhere in
Europe - commissioned an extensive programme of testing for valve seat
recession by MIRA.
Using a Rover A-Series engine - a power unit particularly prone to valve seat
recession - and a set of new cylinder heads and valves generously donated by
the Rover Group, twelve lead substitute products each underwent identical
70-hour test programmes at MIRA, including 20 hours' accelerated wear testing
at full throttle and full load. For reference purposes, tests were also made
using leaded, unleaded and low-lead petrol.
At the end of some 1 000 hours' testing, independently reviewed by a
technical assessor representing the RAC, four products were found to have
passed the demanding tests. These are:
* Millers VSP-Plus
* Red Line Lead Substitute
* Superblend l2/Zero Lead 2000
* Valvemaster
Each is now entitled - provided that it is marketed in the exact form in
which it was tested - to carry the FBHVC endorsement.
However lan Edmunds who heads the FBHVC's Fuels sub-committee, emphasises
that historic vehicle owners should not mix lead substitutes but should
choose the product which most closely suits their requirements and stick to
it.
In this context, Federation President Lord Montagu of Beaulieu told delegates
at the conference that even at this late stage the Government has not
established a British standard for additives.
END
Carl
'64 TR4 since '74
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