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>To: "'Keith Park'" <parkkj@orion.crd.ge.com>
>so when I go to my local gas station and buy regular gas what am I getting?
It is labeled "regular" and next to it is "regular unleaded".
Yes, I believe you're right. There are still a few places around that carry
leaded, but there is much less lead in it than there was when your car was
new (or even young!)
>I disagree with the statement that I can use unleaded in my car without
some sort of additive. I have a '64 Notch with 30k original miles. The
engine was never rebuilt so does not have hardened valves. It was my
understanding that lead in gas helps to lubricate and without could "burn"
your valves.
>Yes? No? Maybe?
It's hard to believe that there is a 33 year old T3 out there with only 30k
and a virgin engine!
I believe the lead did three things:
1) Increase the octane rating and thus prevent detonation. This can also be
taken care of by more expensive distillation methods, by various additives,
or by reducing the compression ratio.
2) Lubricate the valve stems. This can be treated by metallurgy.
3) "Lubricate" the valve seats. This can be cured by using hardened seats.
I believe ALL our heads have hardened seats, but VW didn't start the chrome
plated valve stems (in or ex, I can never remember) until, I think, '67.
The late valves should retrofit the earlier cars, but some cars might have
smaller valves which might make this difficult. I suppose a good machine
shop might be able to grind one of the late valve heads down to a smaller
diameter. The stems are all 8mm; I assume the lengths are the same or very
close.
Anyone done this?
Jim
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Melissa Kepner Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org jadney@vwtype3.org
Laura Kepner-Adney
Madison, Wisconsin
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