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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 39 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 39 | I have been told that I should use a 'leaded' gas additive since I am running unleaded gas in my '51 1/2 ton.
I have heard this before, but others have said the truck will run fine on regular unleaded gasoline.
Can someone fill me in what is the proper fuel to use in these older, 'pre-unleaded' fuel vehicles. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 | i used reg. unleaded for years before i had the engine overhauled and no problems. also have a 1960 mga and use unleaded and i have had it since DEC. 1968 no problems.
Last edited by WE b OLD; 10/14/2011 6:16 PM.
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 2 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 2 | You only need to use lead additives if your cylinder head has not had hardened exhaust valve seats installed. This process is done by cutting a counterbore and pressing in a seat, then cutting for the valve. If your head has been in a machine shop in the last 20 years, its probably been done. If it is original, you take the chance of burning a valve on unleaded gas. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | For normal use you can run unleaded gasoline and will never have a problem. It has been discussed many times here. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | What Don said. Engines made before lead was put in gas didn't have "hardened" seats.
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| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Ditto on Don's & Tiny's posts. A high compression engine from leaded-gas years would likely have problems with non-leaded gas. This does not pertain to any of our stovebolt six engines under normal driving conditions. http://www.vea.qc.ca/vea/articles/unleaded.htm | | | | | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 | Ethanol may be another story. Right now, it's OK, but if the fed decides to increase the quanity of ethanol in gas, as been discussed by the administration, that may become a problem.
"Truckin' Around .......... Since 1937!" My name is Joe and I am addicted to Classic Country Music. I just can't hep myself.Operators are standing by to take your calls! Now cruising in the Passing Lane | | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 255 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 255 | Have I got a story for you - I moonlite at a machine shop that is beside an auto repair shop. One of their customers had their car brought in on a rollback a few days ago. Car would not start, owner said he just gassed up and drove about 5 miles and car just died. They checked everything, found nothing wrong. They decided to check the fuel - and turns out it was about 50% ethanol!! The gas station said they had numerous complaints and referred all calls to their distributor for re-imbursement (as long as you had a receipt!!). Gas station said problem had been corrected. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,922 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,922 | | | |
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