Re: Unleaded gas and old tractors

Posted by Bob Kerr on October 02, 2001 at 18:58:22 from (205.188.198.176):

In Reply to: Unleaded gas and old tractors posted by Lyall on October 02, 2001 at 05:20:32:

From the very begining of people building gasoline or gas engines in the 1880s 1890s they didn't use lead in the fuel until the late thirties or after WWII. It was nessesary for one thing, to stop a high compression engine from pinging. Aircraft were the first to use lead because they had very high compression engines to fly at high altitude and still make good power like you would need in bombers and fighter planes.Old tractors do not need lead because they do not have valve rotators that spin the valves as they close or have high lift camshafts and heavy valve springs like high performance car engines.The valves don't slam down on the seats like a drag car valves do. Most valve resession seen on real old tractors is from a previous owner grinding valves every year or two. they used to sell do it yourself valve grinders that has suction cup that would stick on the valve head and you put some diamond dust grinding compound on the valve face and spin away. I knew of 3 different guys who did this every year or two or if the tractor started to miss a little.They took serious pride in their mechanical ability and always had sweet running machines until they sold them off. They would have been embarrassed if a neighbor heard their tractor sputtering when out plowing and made shure they wouldn't get caught like that. I could tell you storys about my grandpa (IH man)and great uncle(John Deere man)ribbing each other about what tractors they owned(they were neigbors). That was in the early 60s and I know they did that before I was born. Anyway unless you have an engine that has lots of lift on the cam and the heavy rate valve springs needed for high lift, or run at an rpm above 3000 at heavy loads I wouldn't worry about lead additives at all. save your money. Some old engines that sat since lead was used and are started up on unleaded can start to miss because of the old lead and carbon deposits getting stuck under the valve face and seat, but sometimes a shot of trans fluid down the carb while running will clean them out ok.

Follow Ups:

Post A Followup Name: E-Mail: Subject: Re: Re: Unleaded gas and old tractors Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]