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The 8N had hardened exhaust valve seats, anticipating a move made by automakers 25 years later. It does not need lead to control exhaust valve recession. Your neighbor, however, is incorrect. Modern unleaded gasoline does not contain any additives for valve seat lubrication. (There is no practical need, since cars built since 1974 have hardened seats). A major purveyor of "modern unleaded gasoline" has this to say: "A federal sponsored study of older gasoline-powered farm equipment showed some performed satisfactorily on unleaded gasoline, but most experience valve-seat wear, especially during the water pumping portion of the testing." Personally, I run cheap 87 octane unleaded in my 8N engine. Rather than adding lead additives, I sometimes think about cutting the gas with even cheaper off-road diesel fuel to save a little more money and lower the octane rating towards the design range of the engine....
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