Converting from Leaded to U/Lead Petrol

Post by **pskipper** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:36 am

Bluetac is more waterproof...(good for washer system repairs, although perhaps bluetac and gaffertape for the radiator)....

Post by **lydenburg** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:36 am

Gaffer tape is brilliant for holding number plates on to trailers as well!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:58 am

Gaffer tape is brilliant for holding number plates on to trailers as well!

sellotape is rubbish for that! It seemed to get melted by the Diesel exhaust fumes.

Post by **lydenburg** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:04 pm

Need a number plate for a trailer when you dont have the V5C to get a numberplate made? One plastic A4 envelope, printed number plate on A4 paper and Gaffer Tape. Been on the trailer for 4 weeks now. Hasnt got wet or faded. I get to collect a pressed aluminium plate at the weekend. Got the V5C through at last!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:09 pm

yes but it has to be a reflective type on a modern vehicle so the printed version would not be legal.
The police would probably let you off though as the replacement plate rules are a bit draconian, and in the future even more people won't have a plate at all or use a wrong plate on the trailer because of it.

Post by **MrA.Series** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:12 pm

rayofleamington wrote:yes but it has to be a reflective type on a modern vehicle so the printed version would not be legal.

Well, we'll just have to dig around in the DT cupboard for some Glitter and PVA glue! That'll get the printed n/plate reflective in no-time!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:13 pm

Yellow glitter!! No idea why I hadn't thought of that!!

Post by **MrA.Series** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:14 pm

I'm sure you couln't get nicked as it would be reflective, and the cops'll be dead impressed with your artyness!

Post by **lydenburg** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:19 pm

The new number plate rules and V5C thing does seem rather stupid. But i suppose it should in time stop plate ringers and these dodgy people selling V5's on ebay. You said it had to be a reflective type on a modern vehicle. Does that mean it doesnt have to be reflective on an older vehicle?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:34 pm

last question first.
The rules on plate size and type are based on the year of the car (see a pressed aluminium plate websie for details)
For a trailer the rear plate 'has to be clearly visible from the rear of the vehicle' (ambiguous) so it can be on the trailer, but on the car is allowed still if it can be seen! However it does mean that the plate is allowed to be the same type as the car, although a relflective plate might be cheaper and quicker to get.

For the first comment - Car thieves and terrorists etc will have no problem to get false plates. Unfortunately there there's a will there's a way, but law abiding people always suffer the brunt of it by following the rules.
However it is likely to deter the not-so-serious criminals who just wanted to dodge additional tax and fines (London congestion charge!!)

Post by **lydenburg** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 1:33 pm

The vehicle i tow with is a 1963 land rover, so not a problem there. They definately are not reflective plates. The minor has reflective plates but i think that is because it was re-registered for some reason. Yet to find out why.

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 1:53 pm

You can get number plates from Ireland made how you like with no proof needed, theres always a way round everything.

dig around in the DT cupboard for some Glitter

Rob you are studing Art Deco at Cambridge

Post by **lydenburg** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 2:39 pm

There are always ways round things. I just want a V5C for the moggie. Had it since January, still havent got the old V5 of the old owner to send off to get a new one! Number plates can come once the thing (hasnt got a name yet) has been rebuilt.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 3:27 pm

lydenburg,
You can just apply for a new V5
DVLA will then write to the last known keeper and if he/she fills in and returns the form they send him you'll get a new V5. If they hear nothing after a certain period of time they send you a new V5 anyway.

Post by **lydenburg** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 3:31 pm

True, i was hoping not to do that. But this guy is a typical GP, far to busy to worry about little things like finding the V5 for me. I need to ring him anyway, scrounge a bonnet and boot he said i could have.

Post by **mistertom7** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 9:34 am

Hi
Can anyone tell me how it is possible to know if a cylinder head is converted to unleaded or not by looking at it? I recently bought an Ital and am treating it as if it is an original head but I still don't know for sure

regards

Gareth wrote:Welcome to our world...!

Mr Tom
For unleaded conversion, there are four options, broadly speaking:

1.
Get an unleaded head fitted. This can be several hundred pounds, but is a fit-and-forget thing. Available new/recon from Minor specialists.
2. Use an additive, but one that's been passed by the FBHVC. A bit of a fiddle, and could get expensive if you use the car daily. A bottle's about a tenner?
3. Use a catalyst. These drop in the tank and alter the rating of petrol. Allegedly. Widely reputed not to work, but I've used one for four years with no problems. Although four years on unleaded out of forty years on four-star isn't much... Catalysts can be around £30-£50, but most people on here don't think they work...
4. Rely on the "lead memory" and use unleaded until it goes pop (although if it's just a sunday car, then it might be a long time!), and then start at number 1. I use Optimax, which is about 82p a litre, here...

Emissions test:
For a car of this age, the emissions test should be this sequence:

1. Start engine.
2. Leave to idle for a while.
3. Get an assistant to stand behind car.
4. Rev engine.
5. If assistant can still see, the car passes. If the assistant is lost in a cloud of smoke, then it fails.

[lol]

Broadly speaking...

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:44 pm

unfortunately you need to have the head off and slook at the area of the exhaust valve seats to know for sure.

Post by **winger300** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 7:54 pm

will using the Castrol valvemaster plus additive cause adverse effects if used on an unleaded head? I can't see any reason why, and would like to use up what i have left for it's octane boost.

Post by **Cam** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 9:45 pm

Nope, it will run better, cooler and have more power with the additive. It won't damage the engine, far from it. It will protect it.

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Apr 02, 2004 8:21 am

Can anyone tell me how it is possible to know if a cylinder head is converted to unleaded or not by looking at it?

Tom 7 as Ray said you need to take the head off then take out one of the exhaust valves and if an unleaded insert has been put in you can see the the insert as its a different material to the head, it should look shinier although you may have to clean it to see it clearly and its just a bit bigger than the valve head in size.