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British heritage cars
Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Posts: 202
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 Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:01 am Post subject: Lead Free Conversion |
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Hallo Folks,
I want to go for a lead-free conversion for my Austin Devon caus I want to use it as my daily.
In belgium a lead-free conversion costs € 50 per seat + the cost of milling.
Does anyone have experience with in England, how are the prices there?
I go very often to England, ( Dover, Maidstone, Turnbridge wells, ..) So maybe I could do it in England
Kind regards,
Jonathan |
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Jim.Walker
Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 1229
Location: Chesterfield
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:35 am Post subject: |
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Don't do it until you need to!!! Which might be never!
Valve "pocketing" is the possible effect of delaying conversion and that can be detected by the valve (tappet) clearances closing up.
I have three unconverted vehicles - two motor bikes and a car - which have covered many thousands of miles each with no attention. Over 60,000 miles estimated for the car.
We used to operate a fleet of around 10 Austin /Morris 1800 taxis on Propane (unleaded fuel). Engines were generally very tired and replaced at about 100,000 miles. But not one was ever replaced because of valve problems.
Jim.
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then! |
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Jim.Walker
Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 1229
Location: Chesterfield
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:16 am Post subject: |
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Just found out that further down the Forum you show the engine already stripped. That does put a rather different complexion on the matter from the opportunity point of view. Especially as from the picture of a valve it seems that valve seat work is needed anyway.
Jim.
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then! |
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MVPeters
Joined: 28 Aug 2008
Posts: 822
Location: Northern MA, USA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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I think it was said here, some time ago, that the quickest way to convert a car to unleaded is to fill the petrol tank with it!
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Mike - MVPeters at comcast.net
2002 MINI Cooper 'S' |
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British heritage cars
Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Posts: 202
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Jim.Walker wrote: | Just found out that further down the Forum you show the engine already stripped. That does put a rather different complexion on the matter from the opportunity point of view. Especially as from the picture of a valve it seems that valve seat work is needed anyway.
Jim. |
I've cleaned the seats, they are not to bad, maybe just a lapping will do the job..
I have a sykespickavant valve seat reamer, but don't never used it.
Do you have experience with it?
So you think not to put new valve seats?
Kind regards,
Jonathan |
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British heritage cars
Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Posts: 202
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Jim.Walker wrote: | Just found out that further down the Forum you show the engine already stripped. That does put a rather different complexion on the matter from the opportunity point of view. Especially as from the picture of a valve it seems that valve seat work is needed anyway.
Jim. |
Yes, I had to strip the engine... It's so dirty and filty inside!
I'll put new bearing shells..
Kind regards,
Jonathan |
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Jim.Walker
Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 1229
Location: Chesterfield
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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| British heritage cars wrote: | | Jim.Walker wrote: | Just found out that further down the Forum you show the engine already stripped. That does put a rather different complexion on the matter from the opportunity point of view. Especially as from the picture of a valve it seems that valve seat work is needed anyway.
Jim. |
I've cleaned the seats, they are not to bad, maybe just a lapping will do the job..
I have a sykespickavant valve seat reamer, but don't never used it.
Do you have experience with it?
So you think not to put new valve seats?
Kind regards,
Jonathan |
I would never strip an engine just to fit seat inserts as a precaution. But since a lot of the labour is already done the choice of fitting inserts or not is yours.
The seat reamers work well but there are two precautions. One is to be sure the valve guides are not worn and the second is that the pilot is an extremely good fit in the guide. Probably Imperial size, but Metric is possible on some cars.
Be sure not to turn the reamer without enough feed force to ensure it is cutting. Otherwise the cutting edges of the reamer will be blunted.
You will probably find on a car of that age that the seats will be very hard (work hardening),which means the effect of unleaded fuel will be less.
Now I've probably made your choice more difficult. But it is up to you.
Jim.
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then! |
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British heritage cars
Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Posts: 202
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Jim.Walker wrote: | | British heritage cars wrote: | | Jim.Walker wrote: | Just found out that further down the Forum you show the engine already stripped. That does put a rather different complexion on the matter from the opportunity point of view. Especially as from the picture of a valve it seems that valve seat work is needed anyway.
Jim. |
I've cleaned the seats, they are not to bad, maybe just a lapping will do the job..
I have a sykespickavant valve seat reamer, but don't never used it.
Do you have experience with it?
So you think not to put new valve seats?
Kind regards,
Jonathan |
I would never strip an engine just to fit seat inserts as a precaution. But since a lot of the labour is already done the choice of fitting inserts or not is yours.
The seat reamers work well but there are two precautions. One is to be sure the valve guides are not worn and the second is that the pilot is an extremely good fit in the guide. Probably Imperial size, but Metric is possible on some cars.
Be sure not to turn the reamer without enough feed force to ensure it is cutting. Otherwise the cutting edges of the reamer will be blunted.
You will probably find on a car of that age that the seats will be very hard (work hardening),which means the effect of unleaded fuel will be less.
Now I've probably made your choice more difficult. But it is up to you.
Jim. |
Thanks, you made the choice easy!
I think I'l keep the seats and will see what happends, it's not a race engine..
And will see what happen if I just drive it around like that... I can always take the head off again..
So just cleaned the cylinderhead very well, and will clean the valves and just keep everything..
And I'll more consentrate on the rest of the engine...
Thanks for the good advice!!
Kind regards,
Jonathan |
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7118
Location: Edinburgh
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Julian
Joined: 19 Apr 2010
Posts: 278
Location: Warrington
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Jim.Walker wrote: |
We used to operate a fleet of around 10 Austin /Morris 1800 taxis on Propane (unleaded fuel). Engines were generally very tired and replaced at about 100,000 miles. But not one was ever replaced because of valve problems.
Jim. |
Agreed, I think the 'valve problems' associated with lead free is over-hyped codswallop!
Years ago I looked after a fleet of Mk2 Escort vans with 1300cc Kent engines. They were adapted for LPG and all did big mileages and got driven very hard. (Pub cigarette vending machine re-stocking work)
The engines never really made 100,000 miles, replacement normally was between 70-90K. And normally this was because the engines had started to breathe very heavily, lose compression and become pigs to start on a cold day. I don't ever remember one with head problems and I think the valves just seated directly onto the cast head with no hardened inserts.
Julian. |
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Jim.Walker
Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 1229
Location: Chesterfield
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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I have always thought that the "unleaded scare" was largely promoted by manufacturers and dealers trying to wriggle out of warranty claims years ago.
Whatever, there is much more to worry about in the effect of the Ethanol on SOME older plastic fuel parts such as floats and pipes etc.
I have never had a vehicle that suffered in that way. but there is plenty of evidence that others have.
Hmmmm. I wonder why no one claims to have made an additive to prevent or reverse the effect? Are the fly-boys slipping?
Jim.
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then! |
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British heritage cars
Joined: 10 Nov 2010
Posts: 202
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, Thanks guys!
Does anyone hase experience whit cleaning an engine in acid?
Kind regards,
Jonathan |
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47Jag
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 1480
Location: Bothwell, Scotland
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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Jonathan,
I haven't heard of acid cleaning. Do you mean Caustic Soda? which is alkaline. It does a great job.
Art |
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