Unleaded heads

[leyther8008]

This might sound like a dumb question, but is there any way of telling if my new purchase has an unleaded head? do they get stamped when they are converted? or do I have to take it off and look at the combustion chambers and see if I can see a seat pressed in?
Any help appreciated.
Bern

[Kevin]

The only definite way is to look at it, I'm afraid as they just put the inserts in and I have never seem one stamped, if you are unsure buy the Castrol Valvemaster and then you can use unleaded with no problems, quite a few on here use it.

[bmcecosse]

Or just use unleaded petrol - and keep an eye on the valve clearances. Unleaded head is only needed if doing big mileages.

[leyther8008]

Thanks for those replys, thats what I suspected, good stuff Valvemaster then?

[Axolotl]

Valvemaster and Valvemaster Plus (with the Octane booster) seem to have a good reputation here. They work out pretty cheap per fill compared to a lot of the others, and are easy to get (Halfords stock them).

As to whether they really work, or are even necessary, there are threads and threads of discussion.

Personally, I use Valvemaster. I haven't had any problems doing so, and I figure it's better for the engine with than without. I don't think it does any harm, even if it may not be strictly necessary.

[bmcecosse]

The only additive that actually contains Lead Tetraethyl is Tetraboost. Using this completely replicates leaded petrol - it must NOT be used on any car with a catalyst!!

[Axolotl]

There is an old article on lead substitutes on this site, here:-

http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/news/Lea ... _sale.html

And a more fact-based article on the key points here:-

http://www.millersoils.net/pdf_download ... _facts.pdf

(Bear in mind that this is written for a company that makes lead substitute additives).