leaded vs. unleaded gasoline?

[wminmi 0]

I picked up a little Wards rear engine rider yesterday while in Indiana, and the previous owner said that it HAD to have leaded fuel, or the lead additve added to unleaded fuel. Why? Is the difference in the 2 fuels enough to warrant adding the additive? It appears that the little 5hp briggs already has a pretty burnt valve, but i'm curious here as to why it would need leaded gas? What does it hurt?

[RayS 80]

At the time they made these old tractors you had leaded fuel. I believe that the B series repair manual states to use it. I have used unleaded gas in my HB 212 ever since I have owned it and my father owned it before me. All he ever used was unleaded. I wouuldn`t worry about it. Plus I believe unlead leaves less carbon in the cylinder head and the top of the piston.

[MPH 12]

Seems to me if the guy always used lead additive and it has a pretty burnt valve anyway there wasn't much gain for the dollars spend. " leaded gas? What does it hurt?" al gorie will hang you from the tail wing of his private jet and fly off to China to give a talk about global warming for 750,000 dollars, think that might hurt your neck a bitXX(

[wminmi 0]

quote:

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Originally posted by MPH
Seems to me if the guy always used lead additive and it has a pretty burnt valve anyway there wasn't much gain for the dollars spend.

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right! I was just curious if there was a reasoning behind it, like maybe unleaded would mess the engine up or something.

[DaveL 0]

Was told once that the leaded allowed the use of "softer valves" --the lead deposits kept the valves from burning. I've never had a problem using unleaded either. I'm thinking the cost of the lead additives somewhat equals the cost of the valve job in the long run.

[UCD 14]

Lead was added as a valve lubricant and the older engines had softer valve seats. I have been told that they started using the hardened valve seats in the early sixties about the time Ammoco gas selling it's White gas. (unleaded gas)

[goatfarmer 817]

Where's the picture?

[wminmi 0]

just for you Kenny :I

[goatfarmer 817]

Not too shabby! Wouldn't kick it outta my garage!;)

[wminmi 0]

yeah, she's a cute little bugger :D

[KraigRG 0]

I'm with UCD concerning the original need for lead in gasoline. I know air cooled aircraft piston engines need the lead for lubricating the valves. That's one reason Avgas still contains lead even though other leaded fuels were eliminated long ago. I haven't had any problem using unleaded in any Briggs/Kohler engine. Kraig