Thread: Unleaded fuel in my Cortina?

I picked up a 78 Mk4 Cortina a few months ago. Its been used bugger all since we went to unleaded petrol. Whats the best way to protect the valves in this thing? I don't use it a whole lot & don't run it hard, just makes for a good range bag to carry my guns in & the occasional trip to town. Should I worry? I don't want to spoil a nice old car...

The yellow peril!

Valve master used to be the stuff - probably still sell it at servo's / repco?

And yes running a car with non hardened valve seats + no lead is a bad idea, some of them didnt last long at all

supercheap sells (or used to) sell little squit bottles to add to your tank for older vehicles. Was using the stuff when I had an old fiat for weekend fun.

This sort of stuff Barefoot?

Moreys Upper Cylinder Lube Injector Clean Additive | Trade Me

Valve master was little more than Kero and Diesel to the most part.. it 'may' have had some Tin in it?

You can get inline fuel filter things that will give the old girl some vitamins
Maybe check the Classic Car mag?

I know quite a few people that do nothing anymore and have no issues.. did have issues with Minis back when they 1st dumped the leaded gas

oh my eyes

Originally Posted by Spanners

Valve master was little more than Kero and Diesel to the most part.. it 'may' have had some Tin in it?

You can get inline fuel filter things that will give the old girl some vitamins
Maybe check the Classic Car mag?

I know quite a few people that do nothing anymore and have no issues.. did have issues with Minis back when they 1st dumped the leaded gas

It's got one of those inline things but some research has me thinking they are little more than a gimick..

Originally Posted by kiwijames

oh my eyes

My eyes have no trouble finding it in a car park.

I'd get onto the relevant online forum and ask some q's. Some "experts" on older engines say it's a complete waste of time using additives as they do very little. But I'd hate to see you have valve seat issues.

Try www.pukeyellowcortinaforum. com?

Originally Posted by Spiker

This sort of stuff Barefoot?

Moreys Upper Cylinder Lube Injector Clean Additive | Trade Me

The ones I'm thinking of were a small clear squeeze bottle about 70mm high with a pinky red liquid in them. Only enough for a single tank.

Half a kilo of no9 lead shot in the tank?

Must be the last Mk4 whortina left running in NZ?

Nup, one in my street, little old lady driver.
Even worse there's an austin 1100 running around near me too

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Nup, one in my street, little old lady driver.
Even worse there's an austin 1100 running around near me too

You live in Invercargill ????

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

You live in Invercargill ????

Classic 7mm. Id say it would have to be Waimate. I was there not too long ago and watched a sort of kitted out, red MKv cortina, rear window luva and everything, pull up at a dairy. Two 30yr+ blokes got out of it and were wearing black T shirts and skin tight black jeans and best of all, sporting friggin mullets! I innocently asked if there was an eighties theme night somewhere in town. I gathered by where the told me to put my icecream there wasnt.

half a tank of AVgas (if you can source it I used to buy from Ardmore Airfield) to half a tank of petrol, from memory avgas still has lead in it. Oh and if you can get hold of avgas take fuel cans to the seller that way any questions asked it is for your racing car.