LEADED vs UNLEADED

   / LEADED vs UNLEADED #1  

09112

Silver Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2013
Messages
132
Location
N.E. Oklahoma
Tractor
yanmar 3810, 48 Allis B
My 48 Allis has been restored. Now my final question: What type gas should be run in this old motor? 'Leaded gas negatives appear to be overstated while unleaded gas benefits appear to be understated'. This comment is taken from an article I read recently. I'd like to get some opinions from others before filling the tank.
 
   / LEADED vs UNLEADED #2  
All of mine from that era run fine on unleaded, I just add some Seafoam in it, or equivalent. Rural King's supposedly "same as" is a couple bucks less per can. I'm now trying Stabil's new product that stabilizes fuel, and also cleans the fuel system.

The biggest issue here, is with Ethanol in gas. It will pull moisture out of the air, and into the tank. Using these products seem to absorb it, and take it on through. No real issues with fuel in the last 5-6 years I've been using those products, with specially in my small 1 cylinder engine on garden tractors from the 50's & 60's.

My IH 656 seems to run better on mid-grade/93 octane. It may have a little higher compression than the smaller tractors. Regular tends to foul the plugs, when on a harder pull on the rotary cutter, or, running the round baler. A local distributor told us that there is less Ethanol in mid-grade gas.

You may find a local airport to sell you leaded 100 octane Av gas, but right now, it's $4.75 per gallon here. Non-Ethanol Marina gas can be bought also, but here, normally runs between $1.50 to $2.00 per gallon more. I'll splurge on that to run in the chain saws, and other 2 cycle engine equipment I have.
 
   / LEADED vs UNLEADED
  • Thread Starter
#3  
I'd never heard of Seafoam. I Googled it and find nothing but good words about the product. Thanks for the tip DL54. This will be the piece of advice I take today.
 
   / LEADED vs UNLEADED #4  
I agree with DJ, the issue is ethanol in the gas you use. Some of the components in your fuel system do not play well with ethanol gas. Check this site out for ethanol free gas in your area.

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

I add some MMO (marvel mystery oil) 4 oz per 10 gal to replace the lead, which assisted with valve lubrication.
 
   / LEADED vs UNLEADED #5  
Having grown up in the years of Tiethedral (Spelling) Lead additive to gasolines, no way will I ever put any more in an engine of mine. You can read up on what the benefits "to the user" were and buy chemical substitutes that "enhance" your engines performance without the drawbacks.....SeaFoam is one, is popular everywhere, and works in any engine I have of any type and has done so for so many years I can't remember. Everybody sells it...just a matter of shopping price if a couple of bucks a can difference in price is a problem. Usually I find it for $6.75 a pint can.

Or you can mix your own...alcohol, mineral oil, and naptha. Just figure the type of chemicals, ratio, and how to mix and containers to use if you are a do it yourselfer.
 
   / LEADED vs UNLEADED #6  
The main purpose for leaded gasoline was to lubricate the valves and valve seats.
Most engines when the head gets redone have the hardened seats installed which should eliminate that issue.
Even if the valves and or seats haven't been upgraded the amount of hours these older tractors get is greatly reduced from when they where built.
Also most of them do not get worked hard for several hours at a time which reduces valve and seat wear.
Additives can be added to unleaded gas to compensate for lead.
Or is the main question not leaded/unleaded but ethanol vs non ethanol?
Around here the only non ethanol available in high test.
We still use several older gas power tractors around the farm, up until a couple of years ago the fuel of choice was mid-grade.
The last 3 or 4 it has just been regular, no additional undesirable effects have been noted.
 
Last edited:
   / LEADED vs UNLEADED #7  
The main purpose for leaded gasoline was to lubricate the valves and valve seats.
Most engines when the heat gets redo have the hardened seats installed which should eliminate that issue.
Even if the valves and or seats haven't been upgraded the amount of hours these older tractors get is greatly reduced from when they where built.
Also most of them do not get worked hard for several hours at a time which reduces valve and seat wear.
Additives can be added to unleaded gas to compensate for lead.
Or is the main question not leaded/unleaded but ethanol vs non ethanol?
Around here the only non ethanol available in high test.
We still use several older gas power tractors around the farm, up until a couple of years ago the fuel of choice was mid-grade.
The last 3 or 4 it has just been regular, no additional undesirable effects have been noted.

head gets redone?
 
   / LEADED vs UNLEADED #8  
head gets redone?

After 10,000 - 15,000 hours it seems to help them run a bit stronger and sometimes even start better. :laughing:
 
   / LEADED vs UNLEADED #9  
After 10,000 - 15,000 hours it seems to help them run a bit stronger and sometimes even start better. :laughing:

Yeah, I know. I was just piling on regarding the wording and we were having a conversation about auto-text in another thread. :laughing:
 
   / LEADED vs UNLEADED #10  
I saw that after I reread what I had posted.
Between my spelling, my typing and auto correct anything can and does happen.:thumbsup:
 

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