New to broncos... general gas question

[cfrang]

I just bought a 1973 bronco with a rebuilt 302. The guy I bought it from said he always adds a lead alternative, but he heard he did not need to. He just did it to be safe. What do you all think? Do I need to add a lead alternative? If so, what kind? And, how often? Do I need to add it every time I fill the tank?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Bully Bob]

Lead in the fuel (eons ago) lubed the valves allowing the valve seats to live longer.

So, yes...adding fuel additives will help a pre-unleaded eng.

(When the time comes to re-do the heads, the machine shops will install the hardened seats such as the newer veh. have.)

CD-2 is pretty good....I think Lucas has one as well.

And yah, every tank full if you're going to do it right.

NOTE: a vac. leak will eat a valve/valves a lot faster...

 

[cfrang]

Thanks. Is there any way I can tell if the valves have hard seats? The engine was rebuilt about 5 years ago.

Thanks again.

 

[Broncoholics]

You have to pull the heads off and look at the bottom side to see if you have hardened seats. You will see them. If you don't have them and don't run lead then they get hot and start to recess up in the head causing leaks over time. Long periods of time. I don't use lead and my heads look great and they're hella old.

 

[Bully Bob]

Ask the PO who did the machine work....there's a 98% chance they put in the up-graded valve seats.

They (machine shop) will have the records & inform you, if you "smooth-up" to them