Re: Proper gas for 374 engine

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2011/2/24 10:44:57

Hi Jack: Thanks for the comments. It was my impression that what is illegal is selling or dispensing into an automobile gasoline containing TEL. But the sale of it per-se is not illegal - any registered chemist or chemical research company can buy it from laboratory chemical supply houses w/o permits.

But be that as it may, the material I buy states clearly on the label that it contains 14.8 grams of tetraethyl lead per quart. It also has a chart that shows the amount required per 20 gallons of 93 octane gasoline to raise the octane to various levels. Is this perhaps a different vendor than they one you were discussing? Some years back while still a working chemist I did analyze the product and did find (qualitatively) tetraethyl lead.

What you say about toxicity is true and not to be taken lightly.

Your certainly are a better source to answer PackardV8's question about whether hardened exhaust seats also automatically means stainless valves, but it seems to me that the answer must be no, it doesn't automatically mean that. Hardened seats with OEM Packard valves are not unheard of on rebuilt heads I've encountered. A hardened seat does not necessarily require a stainless valve - true?