leaded, or unleaded ?

Hey guys,

I got my 1970 le sabre on the road recently, and a couple guys at work wondered if I should be running higher octane fuel with a lead additive..

The reason being... something regarding the valves hitting the heads too hard? They pointed out that if I had the lead additivie, it would make for a better seat for the valves, and that I should pour one in everytime I fill up.

 

Don't worry about using unleaded. The good thing with Buick is the heads have a high nickel content. Depending on what your engine is since there was a 10.25:1 compression engine available during that year will determine what octane you can get away with. I always use 93 or higher no matter what.

 

huh?

Is this true? 1970 buicks don't require lead additive? Is this safe? How far back is it safe...68?

 

well, I talked to the previous owner. He recommend I throw one in on every other fill up.

 

I don't care how much nickel is in the formula, these motors were not designed for unleaded fuel. If you don't use additive, you will eventually have exhaust valve recession problems. The additive you buy uses the heat of combustion and some sort of chemical reaction to coat the exhaust valve seats to help prevent that from happenning.

Both times I took my heads apart after around 30,000 miles I could see valve recession starting. On my new motor I have been using additive, I won't know for a few years if it really works but I am not taking chances. Nor do I want to take a chance on ruining my heads trying to install hardened seats that they were not designed to have.

I get my additive in walmart.....it costs about 8 bucks and lasts for about 20 tankfuls.:bglasses:

 

I run additive too, just to be safe. My rebuilder said hardened seats weren't necessary for the reasons you guys said, but I'll err on the side of caution.

 

In 1971 Buick advertised that their cars will run on unleaded, so that's good enough for me.

 

So if you get new heads, like the TA Stage 1 heads, you don't have to use it?

 

not new ones

ANy new heads will be unleaded, only the original heads from (pre '71 I'd say) you would want to be adding lead substitute

 

ugh....ak...stupid question...but. on the 64 nailhead 401. is it leaded or unleaded. sorry i admit to being a complete idiot...at least i am honest...o No:

 

Any Nailhead was designed to run on leaded gas. Yes, you should use lead additive with every tankful or you will eventually have exhaust valve recession problems.:bglasses:

 

I was told by a Buick engineer that lead additive was unnecessary. The only time it would be needed was if you ran at heavy throttle with a heavy load. I pulled an Airstream trailer all over the country with a 57 Buick, and never used an additive. I pulled a head off one winter to check for any valve recession, and there was NONE. I have run my straight 8 1940 Buick 100,000 miles and never used an additive, and it is still running great.

 

different

each engine type is different, but I know I won't run a stock engine older than '71 without at least some, lead substitute. Better safe than sorry, unless you got big bucks and don't care.

 

$128 a fill up with Cam-2 works best.:TU:

Larry where can someone get the Red Line product ? because the bank account can't take it anymore.

 

so

if it coats them you only have to use it once right? or once a year? not each time I would think. I just use GUNK or something similar each fillup.

 

wow, and i thought hookers were expensive...ou:

 

To be on the safe side I use an additive with every fill of the tank.