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Unleaded Gasoline

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amphibispridget

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This is my first post. I recently bought a 1972 Midget and I've already learned a lot by browsing this forum. The engine appears to be original and unmodified. I've seen some posts here about unleaded fuel and the use of lead additives. Is all this additive <font color="black"> </font> stuff really hype? Do any of you veteran MG owners have any insights? Can I drive it in daily use without lead additives and not endanger my engine? Also, should I use octane boost? I'm new to the world of MG's and need some help. Thanks.
 
Welcome to the Forum!

This is a regular topic of discussion here, and you'll get several viewpoints. My two cents: Drive it and enjoy it. When it's time to do a valve job, you can add the hardened seats at that time. The jury still seems to be out as to the overall merit, though - especially if your car sees limited use.

Mickey
 
My 2 cents: I've driven Tintin, my '66 MGB-GT, for over 70,000 miles (on an engine with 130,00 total miles) on unleaded. When I blew a piston last year (broken ring) , I decided to rebuild the head, because of leaky valve guides. The valves and seats showed no signs of damage at all. I still put in hardened seats and stellite valves, but it was probably overkill.
Don't worry about unleaded gas: You'll be fine! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif
 
If I rememeber correctly, all cars from 1971 on were required to be able to run on unleaded gas. I think from 1974 on they were required to run on unleaded only. You should be ok running on regular unleaded.
 
I agree with all of the above.

When unleaded gas first came out there were all sorts of horror stories out there about how your valve seats were going to distintergrate or burn out in a few miles.

Well....it never happened!. Maybe the older seats will need replacing a little earlier than new ones, but I've seen many, many thousands of miles put on old seats with no problem.

Just run it and enjoy it until you need a valve job, then have the newer hardened seats installed.

As for an octane booster....if your car is stock, it should run OK on unleaded regular. If not, go up to mid-grade or premium.
 
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