Fuel and lead substitutes

[Don]

We have just acquired a 1964 semi-survivor coupe with 44,000 orig miles and would like to know what type of fuel and lead substitute,if any , we should use to keep from damaging the valve seats.It's a 300hp,and we probably would drive it only 500 or so miles per year.Thanks Don.....

[Joe L.]

Re: Fuel and lead substitutes

Don----

For your application and service, you probably don't need to use any lead substitute, but it can't hurt and I would recommend it.

There are MANY lead substitutes on the market, but all are basically derived from one of two compounds. The first is a fully organic product manufactured by DuPont. I don't recommend this one, though, and I can't tell you which commercial products, other than DuPont's, contain it. The second is called Power Shield and it is manufactured by the Lubrizol Corporation of Wickliffe, Ohio. This is a sodium-based, organic compound. I have seen extensive tests for it and I was impressed. Products containing this compound are the only ones I use. There are many commercial products that contain this, but I don't know all of them. Two that do are Red Line Lead Substitute and Stewart-Warner-Alemite. I use the latter. It contains a highly concentrated form of Power Shield, so you only have to use 1 oz per gallon of gas treated. It also comes in a convenient dispensing bottle. I used it for years. Until I had hardened seats installed in my cylinder heads....now I'm FREE.

[Jack H.]

Re: Fuel and lead substitutes

Don't overlook Joe's advice that you may not need a lead substitute....

With 44K miles on your car and the very light duty useage you're pointing to, standard high grade pump no-lead may well get you by. Much of the 'hardening' effect of leaded gas beneficial to valve seating and durability has already been achieved by prior use. Plus, how much longer are you going to go before it's time for a complete engine overhaul?

Today, 'top drawer' engine rebuilds almost always include the installation of hardened valves and valve seats when your cylinder heads are re-done. After, you won't need leaded fuel for the hardening effects....