Lead replacement

[DMC]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and need some advice.
I am soon to be the proud owner of a 1968 traveller.
The gentleman I am buying it from has been using Redex lead replacement but he has told me that as long as I use super unleaded and only use the car on short journeys there is no need to add any lead replacement as there will be no damage to the engine but I have also been told by my father in law who owns a series one Landrover that adding too much lead replacement can also damage an engine.
The traveller is going to be a secondary vehicle so will be used on days off and weekends so a tank of fuel should last quite a while. What I was going to do was to add some Redex whenever I had to refuel.
I'm finding the whole lead replacement issue quite confusing. Some say don't use it,some say do.
Do any of you use Redex and how much do you put in?

[panky]

I used to use Castrol Valvemaster in my Morris and Commer campers, but after advise on here and other sources I've stopped using any additive at all. Valve recession will happen eventually but if the car is used normally (not constantly thrashed or towing a caravan up hills all day) it will be a very slow process and all that money you save on additive can be put in a pot for the head overhaul when you need it in twenty years

[dalebrignall]

i used to use castrol valve master , but now have unleaded head , i think the tests that were done say the castrol stuff was the best

[DMC]

Thanks for your posts.
I'm still a bit clueless as to how much Redex or whatever to put in though.
Every car I've ever owned up till now has used unleaded fuel.
Considering the age of the vehicle and not knowing a lot about the engine's history maybe using lead replacement isn't a bad idea?

[panky]

There's certainly no harm in using it but very good either. When I used the Valve Master stuff the cap on the bottle was graduated for the amount of fuel you put in, I'm sure the Red X will have instructions too
I have actually replaced the head on my Minor with one from a late 1275 Mini which just happens to have hardened seats and valves, I did the swap for performance reasons not especially for the 'unleaded' feature. I still run my campers on straight unleaded though and know many who have done for years without issue.
It's entirely up to you but don't be afraid to drive it if you run out of additive, it's not going to pack up after a few miles without it

[bmcecosse]

There is absolutely NO NEED for any 'lead replacement' gunk - the engine will run for many many thousands of miles without - and all that may happen eventually is that the valve gaps may close up. For this reason I suggest 15 thou gaps (as did MG/Rover when leaded fuel disappeared) and check/reset every 3000 miles - which could be every 3 years for many Minor users ! So -don't waste your money - and don't worry about 'unleaded head' either... It's really really not necessary. Oh and 95 octane fuel is fine - you definitely don't want the expensive stuff!! I worry about 'experts' who advise using the expensive fuel....

[minor65]

I don't use any. No need

[kennatt]

Had many classics and the only one I have ever used with an additive , is my scimitar , and only when I'm in the mood to thrash it past 90 or on long fast motorway trips.Have never put it in the ser11,and see no reason to do so,not sure it has any effect on the scimitar to be honest.As others have said not worth te bther or cost.