Unleaded conversion.Recommendation

Sarecen · Post by **Sarecen** » Thu Mar 07, 2019 2:23 pm

Hi All

Have the heads off my 3.o Essex and was wondering if anyone has a contact in the Peterborough/Cambridge area that could carry out this work.

1977 GTE 6a

Thanks in advance

Sarecen

Post by **philhoward** » Thu Mar 07, 2019 2:35 pm

GTC Ian might be able to recommend someone local but there seems to be more reports of valve seats falling out than valve seat recession from running on unleaded fuel... The Essex doesn't really seem to suffer that much (I'm not saying it doesn't) - the cost of converting buys an awful lot of additive as well.

Post by **peter freeman** » Thu Mar 07, 2019 3:13 pm

It being a relatively low revving engine makes it less prone to valve seat regression. Our 5A had 251,000 miles on the clock when we sold it, it had done 70,000 miles ( 20,000 on that engine ) when I bought it - never used any additive in all that time - total mileage on the engine without additive or modification 201,000 miles. Only fit hard seats if the current ones are worn away is my advice.

Sarecen · Post by **Sarecen** » Thu Mar 07, 2019 5:05 pm

Thanks for you replies.

Spoke to an engine specialist and he said the same, if it aint broke, dont fix it

Valve seats are really good, but need regrinding with fine paste. next job in the garage then !

Thanks again,all.

Regards

Sarecen

Post by **TrevorG** » Sun Jun 02, 2019 5:14 pm

Sorry to resurrect the unleaded conversion discussion especially as I wasn't going to convert, but I've been removing the valve gear today to lap the valves in and put new seals in place and noticed that feb's heads have got exhaust seat inserts. I'm assuming then, that she's been converted, or did the original heads in 79 have inserts fitted? I cannot remember robin rew doing this although he gas flowed the heads as part of the upgrades in 87, so he might have! Any other clues?