<VV> Re Leaded Gas

[JVHRoberts at aol.com]

Tetraethyl lead was developed as an octane enhancer, and a damn good one. 1 
gram per gallon boosted octane something like 6-10 points, depending on the 
base blend. 
The downside is, it coated everything with deposits, poisoned catalytic 
converters, and required a lead scavenging additive, typically ethylene dichloride, 
to keep said deposits down to a minimum. Not to mention the issues with ALL 
the environmental lead contamination! 
Later, it was discovered, it acted as a dry film lube. Not needed in engines 
with hardened valve seats. 

Frankly, I am VERY glad to see this evil stuff GONE! I had several turbine 
housings just CLOGGED with this crap. Not to mention the backsides of the 
exhaust valves, piston domes, combustion chambers, etc. Unleaded just doesn't crap 
up an engine like this. 

In a message dated 4/19/2005 12:15:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
rhino60 at direcway.com writes:
Hi... Just  bought a 180 Turbo 1966 Corsa and was wondering if a lead 
additive should be added to the 93 octane I will probably put into the car. I live in 
NY if that has any bearing on the subject.
> Thanks for any advice
Or, why not use toluene as an additive?  I vaguely recall it is 120 or so 
octane.  Somewhere on the web is a formula for net octane vs. ratio of toluene to 
93 octane fuel.
Snip
I thought lead was use in the gas to help the Valves from beating the seats 
out of the heads.  Also some lubricating properties, not octane.
Nick Abellera
65 Monza V-6 in Progress