Which fuel for pinto?

[Mk2Jo]

Got a question boys for one of our members .... what fuel can you use for a 2.0 pinto (std) that has not been modified to run on unleaded??

 

Is it correct that you can use super unleaded?

 

Thanks

 

Jo

[ratman]

My pinto runs on shell V power + Red line Lead substitute £13.50 from Burtons and it treats 100 gallons of petrol

[Guest MK1gaz]

The lead in proper 4 star petrol lubricated the early softer valve seats to stop them burning out . You need hardened valve seats really or a lead subsitute to add to the fuel when you fill up with the unleaded shite .

[4parajon]

Just to add further confusion to this.

There is a theory that you can use un-leaded on a standard pinto engine, it can wear the seats down, but it can take many thousands of miles to do it. I never bothered using the substitute when I had a the pinto in mine.

[Vista]

for a bog standard pinto, run it on regular unleaded with an additive, Castrol Valvemaster + gets my vote.

[Tracey]

for a bog standard pinto, run it on regular unleaded with an additive, Castrol Valvemaster + gets my vote.

 

Do Halfords or normal Esso/Shell garages sell this?

[TwoLitrePinto]

well i used to run my 1.6 pinto on unleaded and it lasted about 2000 miles before it DID burn the valve seats out. i noticed although the temp gauge was reading normal, it seemed the head was running hot, you could smell it and it pinks more on unleaded!

 

now i run Shell Vpower (only 99 octane super unleaded) + the lead replacement additive they sell in shell for £6, treats 250ltrs

 

you dont have to run high octane but mines high comp and ignition timing advanced, stopped it pinking

[Mk2Jo]

Tracey ... if you haven't had the car long are you sure that it isn't already sorted by the previous owner?

[TwoLitrePinto]

also if its a sierra 205 block they r unleaded as standard

[Tracey]

Tracey ... if you haven't had the car long are you sure that it isn't already sorted by the previous owner?

 

He said he had been running it fine on unleaded

 

Makes me wonder what damage it's done

[capriaddict]

for a bog standard pinto, run it on regular unleaded with an additive, Castrol Valvemaster + gets my vote.

 

Do Halfords or normal Esso/Shell garages sell this?

 

Halford for the Castrol valvemaster plus and you local garage for the unleaded petrol

 

 

I've been running v6 essex's, pinto's and x-flow's on ordinary unleaded with that additive put in when i remember the bottle and i've had no problems so far.

On old engines there is a certain amount of build up of lead around the valves which will eventualy wear away. If the engines been rebuilt in the last few years chances are that its had hardend valve seats fitted, if not then you will need to use an additive in the fuel or have the head taken of and the seats done.

Personally if it runs fine then i would leave it alone and just use an additive now and then.

Hope this helps a bit.

[one-day]

v power all the way unleaded head no additives

[Fiesta Steve]

The engine in My black Fiesta was run on cheap super market unleaded and I never use additives. After 3 years of abuse which includes track days, drag racing and lots of very fast road use my valve seats have no signs of wear from using unleaded fuel. My cylinder head has not been converted to unleaded.

 

The engine has never 'pinked' and as it runs 13's I'd say there isn't no loss of power.

[aden]

i use super unleaded in mine, no probs whatsoever

[Copey]

superunleaded with hardened valves