lead addative in 39 ford gas

Starting in 1936 or so, Ford installed hard valve seats. They were phased out in the early 50's. As long as you have hardened seats, there is no need for a lead additive.
 
First of all, lead in gas is now illegal - no matter how it gets there! I have never heard of a valve seat problem caused by unleaded gas. Walt - what do you say?
 
DD931 said:
First of all, lead in gas is now illegal - no matter how it gets there! I have never heard of a valve seat problem caused by unleaded gas. Walt - what do you say?
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I've seen some Model A's and EAB flatheads with some sunk in exh seats. The 59AB and earlier blocks all had hard seats. That happen with long distance driving. The 8RT truck blocks had all 16 hard seats, those engines work hard in those big trucks. Walt
 
Walt Dupont--Me. said:
I've seen some Model A's and EAB flatheads with some sunk in exh seats. The 59AB and earlier blocks all had hard seats. That happen with long distance driving. The 8RT truck blocks had all 16 hard seats, those engines work hard in those big trucks. Walt
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what about bardahl lead substitute? Do you need it? how about it for a 1933 engine?
 
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So am I to conclude that lead additives are NOT necessary in 39 ford deluxe engine? This engine was just completely rebuilt. Jon L.
 
Not needed, a waste of money. Just 1/2 pint of Marvel Mystery Oil in every tank of non ethanol gas. G.M.
 
Getting non eth gas is hard to do in California and some other kommy states. I am close enough to Oregon to go get it in a 100 gallon tank in back of pickup.

tim
 
36coupe said:
Why only non ethanol gas? Shouldn't I use it in ethanol gas as well?
Thanks
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Because you don't want to use ethanol gas in the old Fords.

Ethanol attracts moisture
forms rust in top of fuel tank
eats the thin brass float
makes some senders not work
attacks older fuel pump diaphrams
attacks some carb parts
promotes fuel pump vapor lock
promotes carb boil over after shut down

There are a few more I haven't mentioned. G.M.
 
If you have updated soft gas lines and a fuel pump rated for ethanol, you can safely use regular unleaded ethanol blend gas. No lead substitues or additives are needed. There are some who claim benefit from MMO and others who dispute the claims. Add or don't add as you wish and enjoy the ride.
 
TetraEthylLead is only illegal for road use just like agricultural diesel. Use of TEL is a must in the aviation world due to the construction of the engines to keep them light weight and as possible and reliable as possible. The most common avgas is 100LL which has 1.2 to 2 grams of TEL per gallon. Racing fuel is another example of an off road type fuel that is "use controlled". It can be purchased with varying amounts of TEL.

I've heard quite a few stories about the state revenuers stopping farmers and testing the diesel in their fuel tanks to make sure it is road stuff and catching them with the off road stuff since it is less expensive. Some of the penalties were pretty severe. You would think it would be the EPA that polices fuel but it ends up being the tax man just like for boot legged liquor. But its OK to put alcohol in your gas.

Alcohol in the fuel is OK for modern fuel injected engines with plastic fuel tanks when they are used daily. Put it is a car with a carburetor, steel fuel tank & lines, and rubber diaphragm fuel pump, then you just looking for trouble. Especially when the car may only get driven on rare occasions.
 
Back in the day, when Flatheads were new, Ford recommended using 'white gas', the equivalent of todays unleaded gas...
 
Many years ago I had a Ford engine that needed rebuilding. The machine shop that I took it to told me that the engine would need new valves and hardened seats.
I questioned the machine about what would happen if I elected to not have new valves and seats installed in the engine. I was told that in 40,50 k the valves and seats would be worn out.
I told the machinist, if I was to drive the vehicle every day, for work etc., I would put 10, 12k on it, therefore the engine would need a valve job in approximately four years. Since I only would be driving the vehicle 2,3k per year, the valves should last approximately 13 years..
 
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