Should I be putting lead additive in the tank? It has the original 103hp straight six. And should I stay away from Sunoco gas (10% ethanol)? Input would be greatly appreciated!
In motors built before 1974, you would want to add it. Unless it's been rebuilt with harden valve seats(I think that's right). I don't know about the ethanol. Junkyard
I have been running no lead in my '50 Chrysler 6 since the stuff went away back in the early eighties. I have had NO trouble with it at all. The methanol will make old hoses fail, and clean all the varnish out of you fuel system. Plus remove any moisture in it. Install new hoses and fuel filters and you wont have any problems. although you might need to change the new fuel filter a couple of times before all the crud stops comeing out and gumming things up. As for valve wear, you might get 80 thousand miles out of them instead of 100 thousand.
Cool, thanks man! I'm really looking forward to getting her on the road! Thanks for the info, it is very helpful. She already has over 80,000 miles and all I did was give her an oil change so far. Brake lines and the driver side window are next, and hopefully I can get her on the road before our brutal NY winter!
Your engine should have OEM hardend ex seats & valves. Ethanol can/will degrade your fuel system rubber, carb, lines & fuel tank.
I don't run any lead additive in my 50 merc with the stock flattie, and have had no problems. Once I did add some additive to my fuel that was supposed to clean out the carb etc. and It made me vapor lock like crazy, so won't be doing anything stupid like that again.
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