As a follow-on and with NO commercial interest at all in
this thread, the additive which came out best in the
FBHVC/MIRA test was, as already reported, SUPERBLEND ZERO
LEAD 2000.
The test undertaken by MIRA for each additive using an 'A'
series (mini) engine was to run the unit for 50 hours at
3800rpm at 66% load followed by a further 20 hours at
5500rpm on maximum load. I think I'm right in saying that
power units were stopped at 10 hour intervals to change oil
and measure valve seat recession. A number of products
failed to complete the tests. Lead substitutes in the
approved products are:
Millers VSP Plus = Manganese
Red Line Lead Substitute = Sodium
Superblend Zero Lead 2000 = Potassium
Valvemaster = Phosphorous
The pre-agreed level of maximum permissable recession was .3
of one millimetre and Superblend bettered the test by a
factor of eight. Simple division suggests that VSR with the
winning product was no more than 0.0375 of one millimetre -
but I'll bow to alternative statisitics.
John Haselden, Manager of MIRA's Powertrain Dept said that
more than 1000 man hours of testing had been undertaken in
conducting these tests - and not just on the 4 products that
met the test criteria. He also added that octane alone was
not the only factor but that there was no alternative and
equally satisfactory product that equalled tetra-ethyl lead.
For UK listers, Superblend is now in the process of being
marketed by BMIHT through all UK Heritage retail outlets and
I understand the same applies to all UK Rover dealers as
well. You can find your nearest stockist by telephoning the
Witney Body plant (01903 707200) for details of your nearest
supplier. For those that want it, Gaydon have published an
information leaflet called "Life without Lead." It deals
specifically with unleaded and lead replacement fuel as
found in the UK and no other market and costs GBP1.00. I
understand the leaflet has also received the blessing of the
Engineering Division of Mercedes Benz (or whatever it now
calls itself) in Stuttgart who were impressed by its
"informed content" and recommended its translation into
other European languages for use by its various clubs. A
photocopy was sent to them by a Gaydon visitor who wanted
unleaded info for the newsletter of the MB Owners Club of
GB. The leaflet also received a very favourable write-up in
Practical Classics in the November edition. The more
tight-fisted listers who want the leaflet for free can get
it for free, though it'll cost you six quid to get in the
building to take one from the leaflet dispensers !
Particular mention is made in it for Triumphs with fuel
injection.
Jonmac
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