do i need an addititive

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 28, 2006 | 06:15 AM

wiseguy50

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 52

Likes: 0

From: mpls. mn.

do i need an addititive

this is not a truck question but here goes. i just bought a 1973 gran torino mint condition inside and out. its a real survivor.plan to
with 4900 actual miles . 49 hundred miles. my question is: the car calls for 92 regular gas. can i run 92 unleaded and get away with it? i plan to put maybe 500-1000 miles a year. thanks for the input

Jul 28, 2006 | 07:07 AM

westtntrucker

Posting Guru

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,126

Likes: 3

From: McNairy county, TN.

Back then in 1973, the "regular" gas had lead in it. The EPA made the oil companies "take" the lead the out. (they charged us extra to put it in, then charged us more to take it. Go figure). The lead was mainly used to lube the valves. The best thing you can do is rebuild the motor and have the hardened valve seats installed in the heads. Then you can run regular unleaded.

Jul 28, 2006 | 07:16 AM

WillyB

Post Fiend

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 5,231

Likes: 1

From: Near Fresno, California

I would check - by 1973 all engines may have been built to handle lead-free gas. If not, you can buy lead additive to add to your tank. No more than yu will be driving it that is what I would do anyway.

Jul 28, 2006 | 10:36 AM

pickup_289

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 218

Likes: 0

Nice find! Where are the pics? What engine does it have?

Jul 28, 2006 | 01:36 PM

Fomoko1

Moderator

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 97,519

Likes: 1,999

From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

I had a 69 Mach I/351 4V and drove about 5,000 miles with out any problem. I don`t think it will be an issue the amount that you are planning to drive it. Nice ride, enjoy.

Jul 28, 2006 | 01:57 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,287

Likes: 1,052

From: NM

It's been shown that lead caused more problems than it solved. It actually was bad for valve seats. As long as you aren't going to be pulling a trailer constantly or otherwise running it under heavy load for extended periods, relax and enjoy! PS great find, it's a Starsky & Hutch looking car, right?

Jul 28, 2006 | 06:31 PM

pickup_289

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 218

Likes: 0

I had a '72 LTD 351 W with 34,000 miles. I just added a can of lead every now and then. Still needed to do a valve job as the previous owner didn't add the lead.