Running on lead-free petrol

[Richard Holder]

Hello,
`bought my Traveller in 2018 as a fully restored example from Charles Ware MMC in Bristol. Trying to find out if the engine would have been modified in any way to run on lead free petrol. Not mentioned in any sales documents. Any ex Charles Ware customers from that era who can shed light?
My feeling is that it must have been since six years ago, lead-free fuel was considered the way to go. Useful to know as I'm selling the car.
Thanks

[svenedin]

I do not know what the standard practices were at Charles Ware. Modifying the engine to run on unleaded fuel requires the cylinder head to be removed and hardened valve seats to be fitted. Usually this would be done at the same time as a complete top end of engine refurbishment. It is fairly expensive to do and in fact it would be cheaper to leave it as it is and if wished run with an additive in the fuel (many people do not use any additives but only drive very limited miles) until such time as the cylinder head required refurbishment for another reason. If Charles Ware were completely restoring a car I would assume they would do the unleaded petrol work but if they just had a car in for a quick sale then probably not.........

Stephen