Converting from Leaded to U/Lead Petrol

Post by **Matt** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 4:12 pm

Well i dont know what the results will be. What sort of figures should there be?

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 4:23 pm

Well as you dont have a car with you at the moment, which Gas will you be measuring

Post by **Matt** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:59 pm

the morris........ it going to be in a garge overnight in london with a gas tester!

Post by **Gareth** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 8:02 pm

Me, worry? Can't think what gave you that idea....

;)

I might see if I can get a gas printout... we always have to adjust the Metro to get it through the emissions, but the Morris... Tried it a while ago and got a lower reading than the Metty...

Made me laugh at the time

.

Post by **Matt** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 8:13 pm

I know that Bo' (the 1902 car below) has emissions from it amazingly inefficent 2.5L engine well below the emissions required of modern cars! thats why i have access to the tester

Post by **lydenburg** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 11:39 am

An unleaded head isnt that expensive and not that difficult to fit. One place i think i saw advertised them for £165 exchange. Plus a gasket kit and any little bits you find along the way. In theory one day of your time (not even that really, but cups of tea get in the way) and £200 should do the job! I could be wrong, often am, i cant even remember my own registration number. (Dont pick on me ray!)

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:04 pm

lydenburg,
It's not expensive really especially if you will keep it a long time (and I wouldn't pick on anyone.. ;-) ). I had an unleaded head for about 8 years swapping it onto whichever Minor that did loads of miles Unfortunately I sold that Minor without swapping the head, so I'm presently on additives until I sort out the next head. For people like me with lots of Minors that do low miles, or even just 1 low mileage minor it isn't worth the £150 to £200 for an exchange head. (I'd rather use the £200 to get another car!

)

Many people fitted unleaded heads thinking it was the best option, without applying any logic to it - therefore they wasted a lot of money as they had sold the car before they'd done a lot of miles.
The head I used to have came with a car - the previous female owner had paid the Minor centre in Bath about £400 to service the car and fit the head, only 10 months before selling the car for £400!! Things like that make me feel bad as she could/should have been better advised.

Post by **lydenburg** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:08 pm

Your so right ( the dont pick on me was a joke after the Reg mistake) Its a fair point though about the cost. Leaded fuel isnt available easily anymore and alot of places dont sell LRP either now, and for those worried about engine damage and confusion in using additives then an unleaded head can give peace of mind. It is a shame about the lady who paid £400 for a head change. She should have been better advised, but then most garages dont do that as then they dont make money! The garage down the road from me sells LRP but it is expensive. Filling the Land Rovers one tank will cost £35.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:20 pm

The thing that puts me off LRP is that nobody knows whats in it - mixing additives is strongly not recommended by the clever people who developed and tested additives.
Therefore even if one brand of LRP is good stuff, if you fill up using LRP somewhere else the next time you could be removing any protection

.
As there was no spec for LRP contents, they could even sell normal unleaded as LRP (at 8p a litre more...) and there's no comeback. The DOT really let motorists down by not regulating it, but I guess they were busy finding people to build toll roads at the time....

At the time of the changeover, the media was more interested in the scare stories about people having to scrap their cars than giving sany useful info.

Using an additive is less than the cost of LRP, (and some of them work very well) - however due to the lack of publicity most motorists are completely unaware.
Gosh, I do spend a lot of time on my high horse..

Post by **lydenburg** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:49 pm

I bought these pellet things in a wire mesh at a mini show that had lots of claims about them. But now am worried about using them because they dont seem to be what everyone recomends on here!! possible £25 down the drain, wel £20, i beat him down on price!

Post by **salty_monk** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:51 pm

I've seen an advert in practical classics for a guy who will convert a 4 cylinder for about £65 & a six cylinder for about £90 I think. The ad is in there every month.
I haven't had time to investigate further but if anyone is interested I could dig out the number...

Post by **Cam** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:57 pm

Yes, I too saw the pellets advertised at mini shows when I was into them (1994-1995ish) but it was not a problem then as we still had 'proper' petrol! They don't appear to work as a protector so I would not use them.

Post by **lydenburg** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 4:11 pm

The only problem for some people with the conversion is that they will most likely be without their head while it is converted unless he does it on an exchange basis, which i doubt. For me that would be fine as I have the use of 4 other cars. Some people use their moggy as their only vehicle so this would not be practical for them.

Post by **Matt** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 5:02 pm

not many people do though! i'm a student an im insured on 2 cars...... most people here have access to a 2nd/3rd/4th/5th etc car!

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:38 am

The only problem for some people with the conversion is that they will most likely be without their head while it is converted

We have a local engine machine shop that will do an `A` series cylinder head for £120 ish and its possible to book it in so that its turned around in 48hrs, if you were lucky with enough notice you may even get same day service.

Post by **lydenburg** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:13 am

Although for some people, even 48 hours would mean that they have to use public transport or even take the time of work.

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 11:38 pm

Just a thought that has occurred, get a spare head 1st and get that converted then the off road time is down to a minimum

Post by **salty_monk** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:23 pm

Here's what the ad says....

Unleaded Conversions by City & Guilds qualified Engineer

4cyl £65; 6 cyl £85
All Cylinder head work including Gas flowing & Skimming.

Tel: HEADLINE
01782 212 600
Mob: 07754 684799

Try to call to check out what the score is but answer machine.
Be interested to hear if anyone else speaks to them..

Ad's regularly in Practical Classics...

Post by **lydenburg** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:54 pm

That sounds very reasonable. Although where is the code for the phone number. Be brilliant for people who live near him!

Post by **Matt** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 4:27 pm

Oh Dear, City and Guilds is part of imperial college......... im not going to be impressed if i end up being a machinest........ Although people are trained to use machines well in mech eng....