LEADED vs UNLEADED

[09112]

My 48 Allis has been restored. Now my final question: What type gas should be run in this old motor? 'Leaded gas negatives appear to be overstated while unleaded gas benefits appear to be understated'. This comment is taken from an article I read recently. I'd like to get some opinions from others before filling the tank.

 

[DJ54]

All of mine from that era run fine on unleaded, I just add some Seafoam in it, or equivalent. Rural King's supposedly "same as" is a couple bucks less per can. I'm now trying Stabil's new product that stabilizes fuel, and also cleans the fuel system.

The biggest issue here, is with Ethanol in gas. It will pull moisture out of the air, and into the tank. Using these products seem to absorb it, and take it on through. No real issues with fuel in the last 5-6 years I've been using those products, with specially in my small 1 cylinder engine on garden tractors from the 50's & 60's.

My IH 656 seems to run better on mid-grade/93 octane. It may have a little higher compression than the smaller tractors. Regular tends to foul the plugs, when on a harder pull on the rotary cutter, or, running the round baler. A local distributor told us that there is less Ethanol in mid-grade gas.

You may find a local airport to sell you leaded 100 octane Av gas, but right now, it's $4.75 per gallon here. Non-Ethanol Marina gas can be bought also, but here, normally runs between $1.50 to $2.00 per gallon more. I'll splurge on that to run in the chain saws, and other 2 cycle engine equipment I have.

 

[09112]

I'd never heard of Seafoam. I Googled it and find nothing but good words about the product. Thanks for the tip DL54. This will be the piece of advice I take today.

 

[Halftrack]

I agree with DJ, the issue is ethanol in the gas you use. Some of the components in your fuel system do not play well with ethanol gas. Check this site out for ethanol free gas in your area.

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

I add some MMO (marvel mystery oil) 4 oz per 10 gal to replace the lead, which assisted with valve lubrication.

 

[Texasmark]

Having grown up in the years of Tiethedral (Spelling) Lead additive to gasolines, no way will I ever put any more in an engine of mine. You can read up on what the benefits "to the user" were and buy chemical substitutes that "enhance" your engines performance without the drawbacks.....SeaFoam is one, is popular everywhere, and works in any engine I have of any type and has done so for so many years I can't remember. Everybody sells it...just a matter of shopping price if a couple of bucks a can difference in price is a problem. Usually I find it for $6.75 a pint can.

Or you can mix your own...alcohol, mineral oil, and naptha. Just figure the type of chemicals, ratio, and how to mix and containers to use if you are a do it yourselfer.

 

[LouNY]

The main purpose for leaded gasoline was to lubricate the valves and valve seats.
Most engines when the head gets redone have the hardened seats installed which should eliminate that issue.
Even if the valves and or seats haven't been upgraded the amount of hours these older tractors get is greatly reduced from when they where built.
Also most of them do not get worked hard for several hours at a time which reduces valve and seat wear.
Additives can be added to unleaded gas to compensate for lead.
Or is the main question not leaded/unleaded but ethanol vs non ethanol?
Around here the only non ethanol available in high test.
We still use several older gas power tractors around the farm, up until a couple of years ago the fuel of choice was mid-grade.
The last 3 or 4 it has just been regular, no additional undesirable effects have been noted.

 

[MossRoad]

The main purpose for leaded gasoline was to lubricate the valves and valve seats.
Most engines when the heat gets redo have the hardened seats installed which should eliminate that issue.
Even if the valves and or seats haven't been upgraded the amount of hours these older tractors get is greatly reduced from when they where built.
Also most of them do not get worked hard for several hours at a time which reduces valve and seat wear.
Additives can be added to unleaded gas to compensate for lead.
Or is the main question not leaded/unleaded but ethanol vs non ethanol?
Around here the only non ethanol available in high test.
We still use several older gas power tractors around the farm, up until a couple of years ago the fuel of choice was mid-grade.
The last 3 or 4 it has just been regular, no additional undesirable effects have been noted.

head gets redone?

 

[LouNY]

head gets redone?

After 10,000 - 15,000 hours it seems to help them run a bit stronger and sometimes even start better. :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

After 10,000 - 15,000 hours it seems to help them run a bit stronger and sometimes even start better. :laughing:

Yeah, I know. I was just piling on regarding the wording and we were having a conversation about auto-text in another thread. :laughing:

 

[LouNY]

I saw that after I reread what I had posted.
Between my spelling, my typing and auto correct anything can and does happen.:thumbsup:

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^
You generally know what you're talking about though and do get your point across. For somebody who is asking a question that's more important than if every werd is spelled correctly.

 

[fried1765]

My 48 Allis has been restored. Now my final question: What type gas should be run in this old motor? 'Leaded gas negatives appear to be overstated while unleaded gas benefits appear to be understated'. This comment is taken from an article I read recently. I'd like to get some opinions from others before filling the tank.

I have a '51 8N Ford, and the valve seats have been replaced (engine rebuilt).
The tractor is in Massachusetts, and non-ethanol gasoline "may not be dispensed from a pump" in that state (The DPRT)
I refuse to use ethanol gas in my 68 year old Ford tractor (or any of my numerous small/old engines).
Airports are an exception: I go to the local small airport and buy 100LL (low lead) because they CAN pump it into my 5 gallon cans. The local fire departments also buy 100LL for all their small engines.
Sure, it is wildly expensive, but how much of that gas do I actually use in a year, and as an added benefit, it stores MUCH better than the ethanol stuff.?

 

[ning]

'Leaded gas negatives appear to be overstated while unleaded gas benefits appear to be understated'

If you believe this, you were probably exposed to more of the lead than you realize...

 

[09112]

If you believe this, you were probably exposed to more of the lead than you realize...

The reason for the post was to get opinions AFTER reading the article. I have no opinion one way or another but I definitly get your bias.

 

[buickanddeere]

My 48 Allis has been restored. Now my final question: What type gas should be run in this old motor? 'Leaded gas negatives appear to be overstated while unleaded gas benefits appear to be understated'. This comment is taken from an article I read recently. I'd like to get some opinions from others before filling the tank.

Oh for frig sakes , where do these unleaded-leaded and detergent-non detergent questions keep coming from. Oh please give it a break and bury it. Put decent valves and valve seats in it and run it . How do you think gas vehicles go 300,000 miles now with little screaming high output engines . In the old days of leaded fuel a valve job was over due by 75,000 miles on slightly stressed V8.

 

[MHarryE]

Many users on this site are using unleaded premium in their old gasoline tractors without problems. Unless you are in North Korea, Yemen, Afghanistan, and 3 more of those third world countries leaded gasoline is not available except for 100LL used in piston engined planes available only at airports. The GM chemists who discovered Tetraethyl lead as a knock preventer - one of them nearly died of lead poisoning. The FAA had the goal of eliminating lead in Avgas by the end of this year but the 2 suppliers of this fuel, Shell and Swift Oil, still haven’t found the perfect substitute so it continues. Gawd I remember the old days when I had to change plugs twice a year in each of our cars due to fouling with lead deposits. Now if it’s time for new plugs it’s time for a new car or pickup.

 

[Oldpath05]

Where's the picture of the fully restored 48 Allis? I agree with this from LouNY>> ("The main purpose for leaded gasoline was to lubricate the valves and valve seats. Most engines when the head gets redone have the hardened seats installed which should eliminate that issue.") Motors that are rebuilt today are most likely rebuilt with today upgraded harden components, meaning no lead paint required.

 

[blacklion66]

My 48 Allis has been restored. Now my final question: What type gas should be run in this old motor? 'Leaded gas negatives appear to be overstated while unleaded gas benefits appear to be understated'. This comment is taken from an article I read recently. I'd like to get some opinions from others before filling the tank.

Your 48 Allis will thank you if you find a place that sells real gas☺ same with all of your little engines

 

[ultrarunner]

When the motors get rebuilt in the early Ford Clubs they add Hardened Valve Seats as few had them originally outside the same engine sold for industrial use.

The upgrade came about for unleaded fuel... some of the guys put a lot of miles on these cars... coast to coast trips... around the world trips... Prudhoe Bay Alaska to the tip of South America... all have upgraded.

Just about all have added spin on oil filters and use modern detergent oil... those with old motors of unknown condition stick to non-detergent because detergent tends to keep items in suspension for the filter to capture...

 

[09112]

Oh for frig sakes , where do these unleaded-leaded and detergent-non detergent questions keep coming from. Oh please give it a break and bury it. Put decent valves and valve seats in it and run it . How do you think gas vehicles go 300,000 miles now with little screaming high output engines . In the old days of leaded fuel a valve job was over due by 75,000 miles on slightly stressed V8.

WOW!!!!