[AJD] Lead Additive

Steve W. falcon at telenet.net
Fri Feb 4 07:32:05 PST 2005


Lead in the fuel did a couple things. It increased the octane rating and
it provided a coating on the valve seats that helped prevent seat
erosion from the constant pounding and heat of the exhaust. If the
engine has hardened valve seats or seat inserts erosion shouldn't be a
problem. If the valve seats are simply ground in the cast iron then you
may have a problem. Most vehicles built after about 1978 have induction
hardened valve seats. The problem with them is that if you grind them
too far the hard surface is gone and erosion can start. One light cut
and lapping won't be a problem. As for aluminum heads they have valve
seat inserts so erosion isn't a problem.

Most tractors used bare cast iron for valve seats. However unless they
are really used as full time farm tractors or run hard a lot (pulling)
the erosion should take a couple decades. One of the best "additives" to
help lessen erosion is to mix some MMOil in the gas. Doesn't take much
and it doesn't hurt anything else either. I usually buy MMoil by the
gallon. I mix it about 1/2 pint to 5 gallons. That gas is used in
tractors,lawn equipment and the two strokes. No problems with any of
them.


Steve Williams
Near Cooperstown, New York

Pacifism - The theory that if they'd fed
Jeffrey Dahmer enough human flesh,
he'd have become a vegan.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hans Krueger" <hanskrueger at adelphia.net>
To: "Antique John Deere mailing list"
<antique-johndeere at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 8:34 AM
Subject: Re: [AJD] Lead Additive


> Ronald L. Cook wrote:
>
> > Cal,
> >     I don't think you are adding any lead to the fuel.  Lead
additive
> > is probably the wrong name.  Probably more like lead substitute.  I
> > seriously doubt that it does anything but take money out of your
> > pocket.  I do have to admit that I really don't know.  I just do not
> > use it.  I do run leaded av-gas in the tractors some.  That will get
> > lead on things whether it is good or bad, I guess.
> >
> > Ron Cook
> > Salix, IA
> >
> > wb5cys wrote:
> >
> >> I was talking to a local "old timer" the other day about my model
40
> >> and he told me I should always put lead additive in the gas I use
in
> >> my tractor.
> >>
> >> Is this true?  Does it really do any good?  More importantly, can
it
> >> do any harm?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >> Cal Barton
> >> Nacogdoches, Texas
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Antique-johndeere mailing list
> > http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/antique-johndeere
> >
> from what I have read that lead just increased the octane rating of
gas
> back in the old days
>
> -- 
> Hans
> hanskrueger at adelphia.net
>
> _______________________________________________
> Antique-johndeere mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/antique-johndeere
>




More information about the AT mailing list