Questiondo i have to add lead to the gas i put in my 72 vw bug?
AnswerThe short answer is ... maybe.
Here is the long answer.
Lead started to be phased out in 1973. The first catalytic converters came in in 1975 and they can't use gasoline with a lead additive.
Lead's main use in gasoline is to cusion the valves as they bang into the head thousands of times an hour. IN 1975 cars started getting hardened valve seats that didn't require this additive. Before that the regular cast iron seats for the valves could literally be pulled away from the head by the valve and burned off or worn off as the valve spins and moves.
In talking with several engineers of American cars, they say the most cars can get along with lead fuel, or even lead replacement additives IF you are not racing the car or doing heavy duty work like pulling a heavy load or driving in mountains all the time.
A typical car just lightly loaded and driven normally, should not have a valve problem.
To make sure you don't, every 2nd or 3rd tank of gas, use a lead replacement additive, there are several brands available at any auto parts store. The additive doesn't need to have actual lead in it to work.
Also, don't worry about octane enhancers like 104+ (a brand name). By 1972 all cars were running lower compression ratio's and usually get by just fine on even 87 octane regular, but if you hear any pinging or pre-ignition under accelleration, go to 91 or 93 octane every other tank or every tank as necessary. If you still get pinging, then have your timing checked. (get a tune-up).
Don
