Petrol additive /lead replacement.

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Boris66

New Member
Posts
9
Location
Shinfield
Hello there, I have a Series 2a 1967 SWB petrol 88, the chap I bought it from was putting an additive in the tank every time he filled up. As a novice Landy owner, do I need to use the additive ?
Cheers in advance of any help.
 
Hello there, I have a Series 2a 1967 SWB petrol 88, the chap I bought it from was putting an additive in the tank every time he filled up. As a novice Landy owner, do I need to use the additive ?
Cheers in advance of any help.
Yes, it's best to, I've been putting it in my s3 since I had it. One day I'll buy a converted head. The experts say that years of leaded petrol will giver the valves seats protection for quite some time. It's not that expensive, I get mine from EuroCarParts.

Col
 
If you advance the timing (someone help me with the correct setting 3degrees BTDC rings a bell) it can help the slower burning unleaded thus saving the vales a bit longer.
 
All I know is, I didn't use the petrol additive at first cos it didn't occur to me, I don't think the previous owner did either. After a while it was running rough and backfiring despite me fiddling with the timing and the points settings. Eventually, I started using the additive and after a couple of tankfulls of petrol with the additive the engine started running smoother and no backfiring. If it was as simple as altering the timing settings, why did everyone have their heads converted in the 1980's when unleaded petrol came out?

Col
 
All I know is, I didn't use the petrol additive at first cos it didn't occur to me, I don't think the previous owner did either. After a while it was running rough and backfiring despite me fiddling with the timing and the points settings. Eventually, I started using the additive and after a couple of tankfulls of petrol with the additive the engine started running smoother and no backfiring. If it was as simple as altering the timing settings, why did everyone have their heads converted in the 1980's when unleaded petrol came out?

Col
Good point Colthebrummie
 
All I know is, I didn't use the petrol additive at first cos it didn't occur to me, I don't think the previous owner did either. After a while it was running rough and backfiring despite me fiddling with the timing and the points settings. Eventually, I started using the additive and after a couple of tankfulls of petrol with the additive the engine started running smoother and no backfiring. If it was as simple as altering the timing settings, why did everyone have their heads converted in the 1980's when unleaded petrol came out?

Col
I agree that an unleaded head with hardened valve seats is the correct long term way to go. But if cash is at a premium while saving up for a new head surely advancing the timing will make the current head last a bit longer. 30 years or so of leaded fuel will give the head a certain amount of 'lead memory' and if the engine isn't used for a lot of towing or 'high speed' motorway work then it should last a few years. As others have said some heads are still running fine years after the demise of leaded fuel without modification.
 
The trouble is leaded petrol hasn't been available for about 30 years so all lead memory will be gone by now. The additive is only about £5 for 4 tank fulls of petrol. If you are that hard up, you should get a pushbike.

Col
 
Back
Top