Also check Darcy Maddock's site on unleaded fuel
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 12:12:54 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Smith, Neil
Subject: The death of 4 star.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do next year, when we in the UK supposedly won't be able to get 4 star leaded petrol any more. Will it just be a case of using a lead substitute together with 'Super Plus' unleaded petrol, or has anyone tried converting their engine to run on standard unleaded? Or is this a good excuse to fit a Goldwing/Jap turbo/V8 engine.
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Neil Smith
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 12:24:30 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Simon Trickett
Subject: RE: The death of 4 star.
Hi in this Country I should be possible to get 4 Star for a couple of years after the Ban..........which is actually a targeted phasing out.
Super Unleaded will also be going soon as it is seriously toxic.... and petrol is pretty toxic in the first place.
Ian Carter said most late head and late sports heads should be unleaded compatible. Otherwise get an unleaded head sorted out.
You should in theory get a Lead 'memory' covering the valve seats which should 10k is
Bloody EU !!
What a terrible thought.....the 'United States of Europe'
see yer all
Simon Trickett
X-From_: nobody@coollist.com Tue Sep 8 13:22:54 1998
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 13:22:47 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Richard Candler
Subject: Petrol
There is a lot of conflicting opinion on the matter of running a Climax on unleaded. Some people say it will run fine - others will tell you that you have to have hardened valve seats (exhaust valves).
A conversion costs about 80 quid. Dave has had his converted, but still puts 4 star in (I guess for the performance). If you want a conversion, then I suppose now is as good a time as any, as I think prices are bound to go up as we approach the deadline. I am also sure that petrol companies will produce an additive that you can put into the tank to allow 4 star designed cars to run on unleaded (probably a couple of quid each time you fill up).
Rich
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 15:33:02 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Gary and Carol Henderson
Subject: RE: Petrol
Hi from deep in unleaded-96 land...
I have taken the punt on just doing local running with unleaded 96, based on memory of grinding-in Imp valves being much more tedious than for integral-seats in a cast-iron head! (It hasn't had the head off since the mid-80s). I think I would give it a squirt of Valvemaster phosphorus brew if going on a long trip at highway speeds - it seems to save olde iron-head machines. Derk's last Hunter was around since unleaded occurred; it did high miles with no signs of galloping valve-seat recession, with its original seats in the alloy head.
When it occurs, recession seems to affect inlets as well - gas-converted BMC B motors in the 70s really galloped - about 5000 km to zero the clearances. The much lighter Imp valve-train must help.
The first version of unleaded 96 here was great for dissolving fuel-pumps, rubber pipework etc & caused several fires in older cars. When it comes, be full of the good stuff & try to stall the next fill until the fuss has died down!
Good luck
GaryH
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 17:38:24 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Bert Clewits
Subject: Re: The death of 4 star.
Neil,
It's no problem for an Imp using fuel without any lead or lead replacement, it only needs 98 octane rate fuel.
I tried it for years now on sport and std engines : no negative effects at all.
If you burn a valve it's just that it uses too much oil, worn valve guides or rings.
Anyhow if you want to convert it just do it when the engine is worn out anyway (due to wear or fuel whatever !)
Bert
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 18:40:56 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Bert Clewits
Subject: Re: Petrol
Gary,
The fuel you got overthere seems very strange stuff indeed as it dissolves paint as well like the brake fluids.
Well at least it's a lot cheaper then overhere !!
Bert
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 05:52:01 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Simon Trickett
Subject: RE: Petrol
Isn't Unleaded 95 RON and Super Unleaded 98 RON over Here (UK)??
Are they replacing the above with the 96 RON????
I think we should use methanol !
Bye Simon Trickett
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 17:07:23 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Gary and Carol Henderson
Subject: RE: Petrol
Don't panic Simon
96 is fine in an Imp - never pinks nor does it try to run on.
I have wondered whether your brew over there is more volatile than our typical offering, in view of my apparent near-monopoly on problems due to low manifold temp. I do know that the blend is adjusted winter/summer by the oil refinery. Older British cars used to be quite prone to vapour-lock here.
Cheers
GaryH
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 02:08:49 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Mike & Tich Marsh
Subject: RE: Petrol
>Older British cars used to be quite prone to vapour-lock here.
Ah, vapour lock... how well I remember bombing around the Transvaal with a wet rag tied round the Imp fuel pump, getting out every ten k's to rewet it... There was a huge difference between the octane rating of super at the coast and the highveld because of the altitude - super up there was regular at the coast (or was it the other way round?) On the highveld it was 'stretched' with - I assume - methanol - extracted from coal. Gave the early morning air a peculiar whiff not unlike Brazil with all the cars running on sugar cane. In Durban you could make your own 'super' by adding a gallon of Union (sugar cane ethanol). Either way, we didn't have the vapour lock at the coast.
Mike