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What gasoline octane should be used for a 1946 1/2 ton with a 216 Engine. Should octane boosters be added to prevent valve and valve seat problems? This engine is all original and smokes a little bit and has not run since 1986.

Never ran a 216 but I would say unleaded regular is not a problem. If it pings then the timing is probably not right or too much buildup on the pistons causing hot spots. Doubt there could be enough build up to raise compressen that much. Valve wear with unleaded isn't much of a problem unless you really press an engine. However, when it comes time to do head work definitely go the hard seat route. Someone else might comment on what valve guides are available when redoing the head on one of these.
Dennis

I ran my old 235 on the lowest octane (87) figuring I would rebuild the head if it had valve problems. I put in a 261, instead.

My engine man rebuilt an 848 head for the 261 with hardened seats. He said you only need the seats or the valves hardened, not both. He's pretty good but is this correct?

If you don't plan on running the wheels off your truck, you will probably redo the head (as in change the valve seats when you do the rebuild) before you have a problem with no lead fuel.

By the way....what is the story behind your truck. Your truck looks like a pretty nice looking ride.

The truck actually belongs to my daughters boyfriend Eric Slachter. Eric inhereted the truck after his father passed away in 1986 and the truck has been sitting ever since. Eric's father obtained the truck in a trade for work that was done instead of money. The truck has had a Northern Hillbilly (Yooper) restoration job done to it and was not finished. There are a lot of sins and boogers done to this truck and Eric wants to get it running for this summer and do a complete restoration job back to original next year. The truck has all good solid steel in it with only one missing steel part and that is the floor board. Since I am retired with a lot of time on my hands (HA) eric had me bring the truck over to my place and wants me to work on it. The truck has been stored in his mothers barn all this time and is really in good shape. We got the engine running at christmas time and it runs good and we were wondering about the gasoline to run in it and if it need any additives added like lead or octane. I know I will have fun with this project and all the bolters out there have already helped me out a lot as I have been looking at this great site for about two months and finally decided to join and ask questions.

You know I don't think regular gas was very high octane in the 40's